AC Milan boss Sinisa Mihajlovic insists he's counting on Riccardo Montolivo this season.

For victory over Coppa Italia opponents Perugia, Nigel De Jong started the match ahead of Montolivo.

The coach said, “I said I’d play the best Milan team possible. At the moment, De Jong is a lot better than Montolivo. But maybe in a month Montolivo will be better than De Jong, and then Montolivo will play.

“Those who deserve it will play.”