Mihajlovic: “If we keep this up Milan can fight for third, Honda and Montolivo turned jeers into cheers”

Sinisa Mihajlovic was left satisfied as the Rossoneri defeated Genoa 2-1 at Stadio San Siro on Sunday.
Milan have been in a good form as of late and continued their fine run with a 2-1 win over Genoa at home this noon.
Carlos Bacca and Keisuke Honda scored the goals for Milan while Alessio Cerci (of all people) beat Gianluigi Donnarumma (who had Barcelona scouts watching him) and the Rossoneri keep themselves in the hunt for a place in Europe.

“Today we had to win and we have done that. We played well and we gave away very few chances,” Miha said to the press. “Matches have to be killed off though otherwise the result is always hanging in the balance. The team played well against a side that makes it hard for you and frustrates your play.

“We deserved to win. I only talk based on what I see out on the pitch. Looking at our rivals, we are in better shape than them at this moment in several areas. If we keep these performances going, and keep improving in front of goal, we will also be in the hunt for third place. 

“We should’ve scored a third goal and not risked at the end. It is also my fault, as those who don’t sacrifice themselves for the team to the 94th minute will no longer set foot on the field. It wasn’t just Balotelli, there were another two or three as well as him, they know who I’m talking about.

“Where can we improve? There are many areas, as when Balotelli and Menez are fit we will have more attacking options and it’ll be more difficult for the opposition to close us down. When the team is playing well, it is difficult to change. Abate and Antonelli have played well and I see De Sciglio as a starter and today he took his chance. This is the right attitude. Every time a player is called upon, he has to give his all.

“Like I said after the Frosinone match, if Honda (who played 90 minutes and had a very good match) continues to play like this, he will always play. In the past he and Montolivo were criticized. But they have shown that with work and sacrifices, you can turn jeers into cheers. I congratulate both of them.

“Honda has been playing well for a while and he was just missing a goal. He had to take shots on goal today and I am happy for him. Niang? He wasn’t very happy when he was taken off (he was replaced by the returning Menez) but that’s normal, no one is ever happy when they are taken off.

“We know that Napoli and Juventus are the two strongest teams. Napoli? They have incredible potential in attack with Higuain. But it won’t be easy for them facing us. It will be a great match and we will play our game as we always do. At Napoli we are going for the win, as I have always done in my career.”



As Mihajlovic noted, “in the first 6 matches, we collected just 9 points. We have now collected 14 points from the same amount of matches.” Milan’s next match against the Partenopei is away from home.