Former Sampdoria coach Walter Novellino feels AC Milan should stand by Stefano Pioli.

Pioli is again under pressure after recent stumbles and the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic as an advisor.

Novellino told TMW: “I'm sorry about this.

"He's always criticised... you have to understand the cause of all the injuries and also the type of preseason they did. Ibra's return serves to bring back some competitive malice.

"We coaches, on the other hand, are criticised for our results. But Pioli still manages to make an impact."