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Gattuso demands respect for AC Milan players and calls on Higuain to 'give more'

Gattuso demands respect for AC Milan players and calls on Higuain to 'give more'

After the elimination in the Europa League, AC Milan will return back to action in Serie in a matchup against Bologna tomorrow evening in Serie A. Coach Gennaro Gattuso spoke to the media on the eve of the challenge.

"I want to see the same performance as in Athens, but not the same individual mistakes as there. We fell asleep on certain episodes, we reviewed it. We must stay awake," he said.

"My players deserve respect. Many are packed away from here, perhaps for the Christmas season. I hear about who goes away. Athens must be a scar, we must remember it for how it matured. We have to grow a lot still, we make a lot of mistakes. I have to grow as well.

"Europa League elimination? Seeing modern football, people crying in the locker room is a sign. The values of football have remained. This has struck me and I'm not mistaken when I say this group, on a human level and sensitivity, has values. Each of us must remember this scar, we should not think too much but play with quality, for us the next 4 matches are fundamental.

"Musacchio and Romagnoli must be managed carefully. I do not want there to be any relapses. Romagnoli trained well and we will see if he will play tomorrow. We need the utmost attention, but they are well physically and we should not be in a hurry. We cannot lose them because they are important for us.

"Higuain? I talked to him. I think the first one disappointed is him. Right now we need his goals but also on the character level and level of experience. In times of difficulty, these are priorities, not just goals. But he must give something more.

"Ibrahimovic? I never spoke with him, I swear on my children. Market managers take care of it. I knew there was a possibility, but I knew from day one it was difficult. I train those who are available. They know the profiles of the functional players I want.

"Bakayoko? He can play as a mezzala or regista. he can do everything. We also tried to play with a three-man midfield with him against Parma. But now he and Franck Kessie feel very comfortable. For how he is physically and how he plays on a tactical level, he can play in two and three-man midfields," Gattuso concluded.