Italy World Cup winner Fulvio Collovati says AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli needs to get tough with his players.

Milan have battled for consistency this season, though their top four chances remain on track.

Former Rossonero defender Collavati told Il Corriere della Sera: "With the Scudetto he has shown that he is a great coach, he has had enormous merits, but perhaps he should go back to being a bit more authoritarian and a little less compliant in this phase.

"There are too many players going their own way. Tactically, he could play with an extra halfback.

"But the truth is that he doesn't have all that choice…"