Gennaro Gattuso admits he feels even “more pressure” since signing a new Milan contract and won’t give up on European ambitions.
Their game with Sassuolo kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“We are coming off two very tight games and did better against Juventus than Inter,” said the Coach in his Press conference following a midweek 0-0 Derby della Madonnina.
Gennaro Gattuso admits he feels even “more pressure” since signing a new Milan contract and won’t give up on European ambitions.
Their game with Sassuolo kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“We are coming off two very tight games and did better against Juventus than Inter,” said the Coach in his Press conference following a midweek 0-0 Derby della Madonnina.
“We’re not giving up, as there are many objectives up for grabs and until we are mathematically out of it, we have to believe. I see no reason why we should let go. We are a young side and must play every match with the dagger between our teeth.
“We’ll take the initiative tomorrow, but Sassuolo are always dangerous on the counter, so we mustn’t lose the ball playing out from the back.”
It was an important few days for Gattuso, who signed a new contract keeping him at Milan until June 2021.
“I am hungrier than I was before and have a worse temper,” he revealed. “In football all you need is three defeats and I’ll find myself outside the gates of Milanello with a suitcase in my hand. I feel more pressure, because this is the club I work for and I am aware we can do so much better.
“I read in the papers of all these new players I supposedly requested, but I can tell you now not to expect a revolution. We have a good squad to build on and must respect those who have done well this season.
“I like to play attacking football with good organisation. My characteristics as a player are different from how I want to see football played as a Coach. What I would like is for my players to smell danger better, because some of them really have to improve in that.
“I don’t think I needed a contract renewal to have a good rapport with the players. I don’t know if some of them are stabbing me in the back or what, but we seem to have a rapport of mutual respect. In order to be a good Coach, you have to be consistent and not take anyone for a ride.”
Gattuso was asked about fan criticism of midfielder Jack Bonaventura after the Inter game.
“The more I hear my players criticised, the more I make them play. He made a few mistakes against Inter, but still played much better than he did against Juventus. We’ve got nobody else like him, so he has to play all the time and that takes a lot out of him.”