AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli insists his players can be proud in defeat to Juventus.

The result was decided Paulo Dybala, who came off the bench to score the only goal of the game.

The 1-0 result means Milan have now lost their last nine Serie A trips to Juve and are only four points off the relegation zone.

“We put in the performance, were at least on a par with our opponents, if not more, but if you don't turn those chances into goals, you are going to pay," Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.

“We've got to keep working and improving. Our current position is unworthy of Milan and that must keep us worried and concentrated at all times.

“Unfortunately, it's the same thing I said last Sunday after Lazio, which is that we had the opportunities and I don't think many have 15 shots on goal the way we did at the Juventus Stadium, but we need to convert more of them.

“We also conceded a goal when we should've been tighter in our defending and marking. I can only underline that the performance is good, but we need the results too. We have to improve our position in the table, it's time to take some punches and work hard.

“I see improvements every day, I saw them in recent matches, as we were by no means inferior to Lazio or Juventus. We must understand that at this level, every single ball can be decisive.

“We haven't had as many points as we expected, nor as many as we probably deserved lately, but the performances have been there."