AC Milan midfielder Rade Krunic has urged his team-mates to have courage ahead of Sunday’s trip to face rivals Juventus.
Milan have lost six of their first 11 games to start a season for the first time in 78 years and have won only once in four games under Stefano Pioli.
They currently sit in the bottom half of the table and are in desperate need of results to close the gap on Cagliari in sixth place, which currently stands at eight points, but with upcoming fixtures in Turin and against Napoli it will be easier said than done.
Krunic spoke to Tuttosport ahead of Sunday night’s match against the Bianconeri, and his words were transcribed by Calciomercato.com.
“Juventus are the strongest in the league, the most difficult team to deal with. But we really need a race like this, because if we win it, it would change many things,” the Bosnian said.
“We lack confidence, such an important success can put us back on track. We are experiencing a particular moment, but we are aware of being stronger than what we have shown so far. We just have to believe in ourselves and think that we can win in Turin.
“We have to play like against Lazio, we have to be more lucid in the games, but above all in Turin we have to play with courage. Those who are afraid against Juve always lose.”
Krunic arrived in an €8m deal from Empoli over the summer and struggled for game time to begin with, and he has now revealed that is mainly down to his physical condition.
“I’m much better. But even before I wasn’t sick, but I couldn’t give 100% and consequently I didn’t force to avoid risking a worse injury.”
The Bosnia international then compared old head coach Marco Giampaolo with new boss Pioli.
“I’m sorry for Giampaolo, he’s a technician who needs a lot of time to teach his game. Now we are more determined with Pioli, I think his football is more suited to our characteristics.
“Only the results are lacking. In my opinion, against Lazio, we did a good performance, proving to be on the right track.
“Unfortunately, it is not easy, especially when you do things right and you do not achieve the result. I hope the victories can arrive as soon as possible.
“My dream was to play for Milan, not just to be here. So I realised my dream only now. But it will be nicer when the victories arrive, you need points to return to the top.”
Is a top four finish still on?
“We believe it, we have to believe it because we are Milan. As I said, we need an important game to turn. However, eight points from fourth place are not so many at the beginning of November, so many games are still missing.”
READ MORE: AC Milan 1-2 Lazio – Five things we learned
