Milan are finally in the box seat for Champions League qualification, but Massimo Ambrosini is forbidding premature celebrations.
A Rossoneri side captained by Ambrosini triumphed in last weekend’s Milan derby and their jubilation was intensified by the news that Fiorentina have slipped up against Cagliari, leaving Milan one point ahead of the Viola in fourth.
However, failure to win at Napoli’s Stadio San Paolo could send the Diavolo back to square one and Ambrosini isn’t willing to take that risk.
“The spirit at Milanello has changed compared to last week,” he revealed.
“We are finally masters of our own destiny again, but we can’t let that distract us.
“The difficult thing now is to make sure that we don’t feel to satisfied and that we keep our concentration up.
“This Sunday’s game against Napoli is crucial for us. In Naples there will be a cauldron-like atmosphere because it is their last home game.”
Although he is keen to look to the future, Ambrosini can’t entirely archive his delight at beating the Nerazzurri.
“There is still a great feeling of joy,” he beamed. “It was so important not to lose the derby for a whole list of reasons.
“We managed to do even more win deservedly. The nervous ending was better because it made us appreciate the result even more.
“Now we need to ensure that the derby is a point of departure, rather than arrival.
However, there are still question marks over Milan and they continue to struggle to keep their intensity for a full 90 minutes.
“We have to learn how to react to this problem late in the game,” Ambro insisted.
“It’s not a physical issue. I think that it is exclusively a mental thing that makes us ease off a bit late in the game, especially when we are ahead.”
