Montella thinks 70 points could be magic number for AC Milan

Vincenzo Montella believes AC Milan could need to reach 70 points this season to ensure they meet their objective of qualifying for Europe.

Milan are
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at home to Genoa on Saturday as they look to recover from their controversial 2-1 defeat away to leaders Juventus last time out, where Paulo Dybala’s stoppage-time penalty proved decisive.

Montella’s men had picked up 13 points from a possible 15 going into the Juve game and the head coach is eager to draw a line under that loss.

Seventy points was enough for fourth-placed finish in Serie A last season, but Montella thinks that tally may be needed just to make the top six this time around. 

To reach that target, Milan must pick up a further 20 points from their final 10 league games.

“This year there is more quality,” said Montella. “I don’t know how many points we need to make it into Europe, probably around 70. 

“The more teams are involved in the race for Europe the better, but we have to focus only on ourselves. 

“Our opponents are really pushing hard on the accelerator, but I am sure that if we play at our best we will reach our goal.”

Read the key points from coach Montella’s press conference ahead of #MilanGenoa    https://t.co/GLqvhtp5rB pic.twitter.com/NKjLfEl470

— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 17, 2017

On the Juve defeat, Montella added: “I saw all AC Milan’s personality in this team, I am disappointed with what happened. 

“I do not like to talk about our absences, but this team has many and on Friday some players were missed. 

“We could not repeat the victory in Doha, but we have shown we are not afraid. Too bad for what happened at the end, but we have proved once again to have a soul.

“I don’t feel penalised and the team must not feel like victims – we must focus on our next matches and our objective, the Europa League.

“The match against Juve is in the past, we are now focusing on this game and we need to prepare it well. 

“Genoa have got nothing to lose and will play to win the game. Then next week we will have the international break.” 

Milan, who have been out of Europe for the last three seasons, will be without suspended striker Carlos Bacca.