AC Milan will take a big advantage back to the San Siro after sweeping aside Ludogorets Razgrad in the Europa League. Gennaro Gattuso took over from Vincenzo Montella at AC Milan.
Gennaro Gattuso has said it is "easy" to coach AC Milan after they extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a win over Sampdoria on Sunday.
Gattuso, who stepped in following the dismissal of Vincenzo Montella earlier in the season, stressed that the credit for the transformation lay with his players.
"The only merit I have is that I've brought something new, with new concepts," he told Mediaset.
"We just needed to play more as a team, and now you can see we're doing that. It's easy to coach these lads and we're going to enjoy the moment, but we've not done anything yet.
"What pleases me most is that this is a young squad and these lads have got a lot to look forward to. They are realising that hard work pays off. I make suggestions, but they are the protagonists."
Some observers have cited Gattuso's charisma as the main reason for Milan's rejuvenation, but the former midfielder said: "People have been saying that's all I am about since I was playing, but it's fine, there's no problem.
"It's just chit-chat you hear at the bar. I had no expectations when I took over -- I only knew that it would be hard and that I would age quickly, but loyalty is loyalty and I chose Milan because this is my home.
"I've got this Milan shirt sewn onto me. I wore it for 14 years, and working with these lads is huge.
"We'll see how things go, but I will give everything for them. I'm going to be their nightmare until the end of the season, but they are giving me great satisfaction."
Sunday's win lifted Milan level on points with Sampdoria, who remain in sixth place because of their superior head-to-head record.
It also means they are now only seven points behind city rivals Inter and a top-four finish could be back on the agenda.
"Dreaming costs you nothing, but we've got to keep our feet on the ground," defender Leonardo Bonucci said.
"In these two months with Gattuso, we've developed a mentality of taking things one game at a time and taking to the field to win."
Ben Gladwell reports on Serie A, the Italian national team and the Bundesliga for ESPN FC, UEFA and the Press Association. @UEFAcomBenG.
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Source: espn.co.uk