AC Milan vs Fiorentina - Sinisa Mihajlovic shrugs off critics ahead of "big match"
Posted Saturday, January 16, 2016 by PA
AC Milan boss Sinisa Mihajlovic insists he is immune to criticism as he looks to kick-start his side's season with a win over Fiorentina.
Milan have drawn and lost in their two games since the turn of the year to go into the weekend in eighth place, six points behind their opponents.
Mihajlovic has come under fire with Milan without a home win in Serie A since November, but he said at a press conference: "I have broad shoulders. I do my job with my head held high and I am calm.
"I tell the team to shut it all out and focus on playing. The team are in good shape physically and they are all giving 100 per cent. The whistles from the crowd certainly don't help, but the lads are giving their best."
The Rossoneri came from behind to take a point at Roma in their last league outing and Mihajlovic wants them go to one better at the San Siro on Sunday.
He said: "Tomorrow marks the start of the second half of the season and I hope that we can turn the situation around and begin to climb back up the table.
"It's a big match and a lot is at stake because a win would take us six points behind Fiorentina in the table.
"There is a long way to go until the end of the season and we have the time to make up ground on the sides above us. The team compared to the last meeting with Fiorentina on the opening day of the season has improved in many areas."
On that occasion Milan slipped to a 2-0 loss.
Mihajlovic added: "We are doing well, despite all the criticisms. We can of course all do better, but we have given some good performances so far this campaign.
"Fiorentina have always competed for a Champions League finish in recent seasons. It's not by chance that they are in a strong position in the table.
"However, they have weaknesses too and we have to take advantage of them. It will be hard and we need to be tight at the back and take the chances that come our way. Otherwise, they will punish us.
"I foresee a close match. In our first meeting in Florence, they were ahead of us because we were still a work in progress while they already had the foundations to build on. We will play our game and be going for the win."
Fiorentina are looking to bounce back from a 3-1 home loss to Lazio, but they still started the weekend only three points behind leaders Napoli and one adrift of Juventus and Inter Milan in a cramped top four.
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