AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli is full of pride guiding the club to Champions League qualification.

Victory over Atalanta on Sunday saw Milan finish in second place and qualify for Europe's top competition for the first time in seven years.

“We knew we could close a cycle, we begin to build a new Milan after a 5-0 defeat in Bergamo. It was a challenging and thrilling path, we've reached an important goal," Pioli told Milan TV.

“The tricky part of the season came when we began losing some games. We felt the tension and the concern, but we always believed in what we were doing.

“We have some clear principles in our heads. We don't want to wait, we want to control the game instead. Some situations can change during the game, but we always want to be in control of the game."

Over 5,000 fans saluted the team bus with the team on its way to Bergamo on Sunday morning.

“The fans have always given us that extra motivation, especially yesterday. They always supported us, even after negative results," Pioli said.

“They understood we put all our commitment, it was very important for us to see them before the game against Atalanta."

The Rossoneri coach is already looking forward to the next campaign.

“I'm already thinking about the next season, I want to raise the bar and we are ambitious," he claimed.

“It would be great to win something with Milan, but I remember when Paolo Maldini said that in order to be competitive, we need to play the Champions League for two or three seasons in a row. We must have ambition because we are Milan.

“I am already preparing for the next season, I dream overnight and work during the day. Dreams can become true."