MILANELLO – The coach is looking for a positive reaction to the loss at home to Bologna when the side take on Roma at the Olimpico on Saturday. Mihajlovic was joined by Riccardo Montolivo and Nigel De Jong at Milanello for the pre-match press conference.

Roma and Milan both go into the match wanting to restore winning ways after a draw with Chievo and defeat to Bologna in the last round respectively: “We know it’s a big match and that we’re taking on a great side, but they are having difficulties too. We need to have confidence in our abilities and take our chances when they come. In short, impose our game, play with confidence and then we will see what happens. Neither side is living up to expectations so far, but knowing the city of Rome very well, I think it is tougher for them right now. But we’re professionals and this is part and parcel of the game. The only way to come out of this situation is to win and pick up results. A lot is riding on tomorrow’s match.”

The coach is still confident that his team can climb back up the table and fight at the top-end: “I remain convinced that with a full squad we can compete for a top-three finish. However, we haven’t had this opportunity this season. With the 4 or 5 extra points that I feel we deserve, we would be in a better position in the table too. As a team, we need to capitalise on our chances created. We are creating plenty of goal scoring opportunities but we are not clinical enough. We aim to keep possession and open up defences, and we did this against Bologna, but didn’t find the breakthrough and I am aware that it’s the results that shape opinions.”

Mihajlovic added: “I have been in the game 30 years. I am always calm and have confidence in my work and in my players. I am focusing on the next match and working well. I know I have always given my absolute all and will continue to do so. I am not one to back down. I take things on with my head held high. My future however is a decision for the club. All I can do is keep giving my best.”

The Milan tactician is eyeing up improvements across the team and also reflected on the club’s youth policy: “The atmosphere certainly doesn’t help us, but we know that pressure comes with being at Milan. We now need a positive reaction. Luck hasn’t been on our side lately, but we won’t use that as an excuse, and we have to try and improve. We need to be more clinical and ruthless in front of goal. Physically the team are doing well, but there will be a few changes with the cup-tie against Carpi on Wednesday in mind. The decision not to include Cerci in the match-day squad is a technical one. He had a good chance in the match against Bologna, but we didn’t lose that match because of that miss. Another one of our goals this season has been to give playing time to our youth players and get a right mix of Italian players with foreign players. The average age of our team is one of the lowest in Serie A. We are getting the best out of our youth for the present, but also for a brighter future for the club.”

Closing comments from a determined Mihajlovic: “The club is always behind us and close to us. We as a team are united and we always do our job giving our all. There are cases when a change in coach goes well and others where it doesn’t. I have never resigned, but I would be the first to step down if my players weren’t training well or weren’t united. But this has not been the case up until now. As far as I am concerned there are no divisions in the squad.” 

Riccardo Montolivo reflected on the last match against Bologna and like the coach called for a strong reaction from the team: “Our aim was to win versus Bologna, but we failed to achieve that. Having said that, the team gave everything to win and put in a decent performance. If we were to play the match again, 9 times out of 10 we would win. We went all out for the victory and were hit on the break and they won. I am sorry about the opinions formed in the aftermath on the team and the players. In football, results shape opinions. We have to pick ourselves up right away and we’re only focused on the coming match. I know the coach better than anyone and under pressure he gives his best. At the end of the match, we have the habit of thanking the fans. I felt it was important that everyone did this after the Bologna game. I called on my team-mates. Alex headed straight to the changing room, but only because he had a knee injury, and he hasn’t been called-up to the squad for the Roma match because of this. Luiz Adriano and Bacca in the end followed me. I am sorry that so much has been made out about this. Just like I am disappointed and don’t think it’s right that so much has been said about the photo of me with my thumb-up (in reference to a photo in Friday’s edition of the Gazzetta dello Sport, editor’s note). Lots of things have been said about it and I am sorry that so much has been made out about it.”

Nigel De Jong had his say on the trip to the Italian capital too: “We’re in for a tough game tomorrow. Roma are struggling too, but they have home advantage. The only thing that matters tomorrow is the 3 points. We are all in this situation together, not just the coach.”