AC Milan chief exec Ivan Gazidis is delighted with the response of the team this season.

Milan are on track to successfully defend last season's Scudetto title.

Gazidis, at the La Gazzetta dello Sport awards, said, "It was a special season for everyone: winning the Scudetto after 11 years is a very important emotion for the Club and receiving this award is another honour.

"We must keep this ambition: we are Milan. We always want to grow, improve every day and win again; for our fans it was a great joy. We must have this ambition."

On coach Stefano Pioli, he said: "He is a special person. He has the club's values. He is a coach with clear ideas, he is committed to helping the young players grow. Stefano is fundamental for this Milan and for our growth."

And on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he added: "Ibrahimovic is a person with a very strong public profile, but behind this mask there is a kind, intelligent person who has made this team and these young players grow."