The Rossoneri are the only side in Serie A yet to keep a clean sheet this season but their forward insists the squad must stand up and be counted
AC Milan forward Suso has stated that the responsibility for the club’s poor start to the season lies squarely on the shoulders of him and his teammates, not with head coach Gennaro Gattuso.
The Rossoneri are the only side in Serie A yet to keep a clean sheet this season and head to Sassuolo on the back of three straight draws against Cagliari, Atalanta and Empoli.
Such results mean that the club are languishing in 13th, six points adrift of Lazio in fourth and requiring a considerate upturn in fortunes to contest for a Champions League qualification slot.
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Suso however has stressed that their dismal form is not down to the methods of the manager, instead stressing that the team took full responsibility for their lacklustre start to the season.
“Gattuso has no responsibility, these things depend on us,” the 24-year-old told Sky. “We need to be more careful and focused, without being afraid. It is the players ourselves who recognise we can do better.
“You can always improve and do more. The locker room is very close, with many good guys.
“The Champions League? We can still do it, but we can’t drop these points along the way. When you play Juventus, Inter and Roma then you can draw too, but we have to win against the smaller teams.”
Gattuso bemoaned his side’s lack of a killer instinct following the 1-1 draw with promoted Empoli on Thursday and Suso acknowledges Milan’s mentality needs to be stronger.
“I agree with the coach, we have a big-team game, just like everything else, but not the mentality,” he added.
“Like when we have to manage the advantage or be closer on the field. In this sense, it’s a matter of time and luck.
“When we have to manage a lead, we need to be closer on the pitch. It’s a matter of time and luck, but while it’s true we’re a young team, we need to grow as quickly as possible.”
Following their match against Sassuolo, Milan return to Europa League action when they host Olympiacos on October 4.