AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli admits he was disappointed with his players after defeat to Lazio.
Joaquin Correa struck twice for Lazio before Ciro Immobile's late third completed the scoreline.
“As often happens in these games, our opponents did better in the decisive incidents," Pioli told Sky Italia.
“We played better in the first half and had the chances to equalise. I expected more from the team, because we have the qualities to do better, but after the second goal it became more complicated.
“We are a strong team and we need to react quickly, because this is a painful defeat. It's not an issue of fear, but if you go down early against a side like Lazio, you allow them to defend and counter, which is their wheelhouse.
“We needed to either keep it on level terms or try to take the lead. We had chances, we were very close to getting back into it, and the second goal made it even more difficult.
“Unfortunately, the third goal is the kind of incident that's happening a lot lately. We have the defence set out and still concede. We knew it was dangerous to let quick strikers like Immobile and Correa take us on for pace, so some preventative marking evidently didn't work.
“We need to do better in order to end our season on the right note, because we don't want it to end with disappointment. The players are as disappointed as I am, because it was an important match. It wasn't an awful performance, but we do need to do better.
“This complicates the situation, because the other teams are stepping up a gear, but we're still there and have to get back on track as quickly as possible.
“I know that my team is intelligent and, despite the tender age, also with character. I trust the team will give its best. There's not much time left, the points weigh double at the moment and we have the chance to prove we too are a great team."