AC Milan vs Livorno preview - Bonera: No margin for error

Posted Friday, April 18, 2014 by PA

AC Milan defender Daniele Bonera has reminded his team-mates what is at stake for the club as they prepare for the Serie A run-in - starting with Saturday's visit of Livorno.

Four straight victories have lifted the Rossoneri to eighth in the standings and within touching distance of a place in the Europa League.

With five matches remaining, Clarence Seedorf's team are five points adrift of bitter rivals Inter Milan, who are fifth and hold the last European qualifying spot.

Bonera is very much aware there are still 15 points to play for, and there is little room for error.

"We are going through a good run of form," he said. "As a team, we are having to play catch-up and that means we always have to be on the ball.

"We have the duty to win all of our games in order to give ourselves a chance to achieve our aim, which is to play in Europe next season.

"We must focus on ourselves and not on others."

Victory on Saturday would be a big boost in confidence in view of Milan's challenging calendar.

Seedorf's side travel to the Italian capital to face Roma next before their derby meeting with Inter on May 4.

"It would be fantastic to go into the derby having won those games," Bonera said.

Livorno travel to the San Siro on the back of last weekend's 4-2 defeat at home to Chievo.

The outcome followed their 2-0 loss at Juventus and left the Tuscan side in 18th place - three points adrift of Bologna, who hold the last safety position.

"The defeat to Chievo has complicated our aim to defend our Serie A status," Livorno coach Domenico Di Carlo said. "But we are not giving up.

"We are fully focused on our game against Milan."

Livorno have mustered just one win in their last nine league games and have the worst back line in the competition with 64 goals conceded.

Milan are still without injured midfielders Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien, while the visitors will be without suspended midfielder Marco Biagianti.