AC Milan vs Cesena preview - Rami: Milan have lost confidence

AC Milan defender Adil Rami willingly accepts the criticism he and his team-mates have received this season as they go into Sunday's home match against Cesena.

The Rossoneri have not met their pre-season expectations, with the club likely to fall well short of Champions League qualification.

Milan are 11th in Serie A after last weekend's 1-1 home draw against Empoli.

Filippo Inzaghi's side have collected just five points of a possible 21 since the start of 2015 and only bottom-side Parma have been worse in Italy's top flight.

"We are Milan and we have to win in order to be high up in the standings," Rami told his club's TV channel. "But at this time, we have lost confidence.

"We are working hard towards getting that back and we hope that we can win our next game against Cesena.

"After our game against Empoli, we knew that the club and the fans were saddened. We know it's difficult to accept our current situation.

"I understand the fans' disappointment and we thank them for supporting us.

"They deserve to have a Milan playing in the Champions League and winning titles."

Milan have won just seven of their 23 league games under Inzaghi, who replaced Clarence Seedorf at the helm last summer.

The Rossoneri have been plagued by injuries and lost two more players last weekend. Brazilian defender Alex fractured his nose while midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura is out with a shoulder problem.

Making things more difficult for Inzaghi is that goalkeeper Diego Lopez, as well as defenders Philippe Mexes and Paletta, will be suspended this weekend.

Christian Abbiati will replace Lopez in between the posts.

Cesena have won just three games so far but head to the San Siro in confident mood after holding Serie A leaders Juventus to a 2-2 draw last time out.

The Emilia-Romagna club are 19th in the standings, four points adrift of safety.

Milan are unlikely to underestimate a Cesena side who held the Rossoneri to a 1-1 draw earlier this season.

Cesena, coached by Domenico Di Carlo, will be without defender Gabriele Perico, who is suspended.