AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli believes being crowned "winter champions" in Serie A would mean little, but he remained upbeat after two more players tested positive to coronavirus.
The Rossoneri are three points clear at the top of the table ahead of Monday’s trip to Cagliari and will be assured of top spot at the midway point of the season if Inter Milan fail to beat Juventus on Sunday.
It would be an impressive achievement from a side that was struggling until this time last year, when the January signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Simon Kjaer and Alexis Saelemaekers helped spark a run of form that has them dreaming of a first league title in 10 years.
"We need to keep working, the title of winter champions counts for little," Pioli told a news conference.
"I’ve always had a lot of faith in my players. In January 2020 the transfer market and new arrivals were very important.
"It wasn’t easy to imagine growth like this, but we worked with attention and consistency. I’m aware that me and my players still have a lot of room for improvement, now that we’ve boarded this train, we want to stay on it for a long time."
Pioli will be without Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and French defender Theo Hernandez for the trip to Sardinia after they tested positive for coronavirus.
"They are important absences, but it’s that kind of season,” Pioli said.
"This season is unique but it’s like this for everyone. Up until a month ago I was able to make a lot of different choices, but these things can happen."
Milan have been linked by Italian media reports with a January move for former Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic, after arrival of Soualiho Meite on loan from Torino.
"I can’t comment on players who aren’t available to me," Pioli said.
"Meite makes an already strong midfield even more competitive. He has both quality and quantity."
(Reporting by Alasdair Mackenzie, editing by Ed Osmond) ((alasdair.mackenzie@thomsonreuters.com;))
