Abbiati urges Milan fans to be patient

Christian Abbiati has admitted it will take time for a new-look AC Milan side to gel after they were beaten 1-0 at home to Sampdoria.

The club parted ways with a host of stars during the summer including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, but the 35-year-old goalkeeper feels the current crop of players are good enough to succeed at San Siro.

“I ask the fans for a touch of patience. A lot of champions have left, but younger players have come in who are hungry for great futures,” he told the club’s official website after their poor start to the Serie A season.

“The fans have understood that a cycle at this club has come to an end and a new one has just started.

“We reacted really well after conceding the goal, but we were unable to do anything about the scoreline. It is not nice to lose your opening game of the season and it leaves a bitter taste.”

Milan will hope to bounce back from their opening-day defeat when they make the trip to Bologna on September 1.