Montella ‘still figuring out best XI’

Vincenzo Montella admits “I still have to figure out which socks go with which trousers” in his Milan team.

Montella’s position was plunged into further doubt after Milan’s 3-2 defeat to Inter in the Derby della Madonnina last weekend, but the Coach insisted his side “deserved at least two draws” from their last two losses and “didn’t see” much difference between them and their arch-rivals.

Vincenzo Montella admits “I still have to figure out which socks go with which trousers” in his Milan team.

Montella’s position was plunged into further doubt after Milan’s 3-2 defeat to Inter in the Derby della Madonnina last weekend, but the Coach insisted his side “deserved at least two draws” from their last two losses and “didn’t see” much difference between them and their arch-rivals.

“Post-derby? I’m convinced, through these experiences and defeats, that I’m finding the right team, the right path,” he began at a Press conference for Tuesday’s Europa League match against AEK Athens.

“We’re improving. In our last two games, we deserved at least two draws and they would’ve made us talk about different things, but it’s not the case and we need to be more ruthless.

“AEK? We want to win the group, we want to finish first in the table, so tomorrow’s game will count for a lot, also for morale.

“They’re a dynamic team, they can play with a back three or four and have lots of quick players, so we’ll have to be careful and play our own game.

 “3-5-2? We overhauled our wardrobe in the transfer market. I have a nice wardrobe now, but I still have to figure out which socks go with which trousers. We still have to grow.

“Midfield? We’re all talking about Sunday’s exciting second half, but in the first half, Inter only had one shot on target like ourselves.

“I didn’t see all this supposed difference, I can’t expect us to be at our best for 95 minutes against certain opponents, but we’ll get there.

“Cutrone? He’s grown a lot recently. After a bit of difficulty last season, he’s shown a lot more ‘anger’ this time around. He’s given the club and I great satisfaction. He was our bet.

“Europa League? It means a lot to me. Milan’s home is Europe. After that, we all want more consistency in the League, but we’re coming.

“Defence? It’s true, we have to improve and concede less as we’ve conceded too many goals.”