AC Milan chief exec Marco Fassone admits they face player sales if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
The Rossonero spent €200m this summer.
“Nobody thought that with such a renovated squad there would be no problems at all, but we are certainly behind schedule by about five or six points," Fassone told La Stampa newspaper.
“The objective was to stay within reach of fourth place for the first half of the season, settle down and then push for the Champions League zone in the later months. We've got room to recover, but cannot afford to get it wrong again."
He added: “I wouldn't say qualification is obligatory, but the Champions League is fundamental in our plans. Failing to qualify wouldn't destroy the project, but it would delay it by a year and we'd try to balance the lack of Champions League revenue by selling one or two top players."