Football Talk - Leonardo pleads for patience at Milan - 28/09/09
Milan coach Leonardo has appealed to Rossoneri supporters for patience after Sunday's goalless draw against newly-promoted Bari continued a dismal start to the season. The sale of Kaka to Real Madrid combined with the departure of coach Carlo Ancelotti means Milan are in the midst of a rebuilding process but with the proud Italian club now languishing in 11th place in Serie A the supporters are growing restless.
Just 34,000 fans turned up at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium to watch Milan on Sunday and many booed the team off at the end of the game.
"We are struggling psychologically although our team has the experience to react," Leonardo said. "We hope that more fans can turn up to the stadium, the team needs their support."
The result against Bari capped a frustrating week for Leonardo. It followed the Rossoneri's 1-0 defeat at Udinese in midweek and left them seven points behind league leaders Sampdoria.
"Bari played very well," Leonardo said. "We struggled against them and in the end the boos, just like the applause, are also deserved. We risked losing this game so we have to be relieved to have claimed a point."
Milan have managed just one goal in their last five league games, with summer signing Klaas Jan Huntelaar yet to score this season. "We are really struggling to create chances," Leonardo said. "It is normal that the fans expect us to get a result at the San Siro."
