Milan director Leonardo said the defeat to Inter “hurt,” but slapped down rumours Gennaro Gattuso could be fired if they don’t beat Betis.

It kicks off at 17.55 UK time (16.55 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.

Milan director Leonardo said the defeat to Inter “hurt,” but slapped down rumours Gennaro Gattuso could be fired if they don’t beat Betis.

It kicks off at 17.55 UK time (16.55 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.

“It’s natural after a game like Inter that ended like that, in stoppage time, hurts and leaves a sense of bitterness. This team has things we need to work on and when it doesn’t go well, it hits our confidence,” the director general told Sky Sport Italia.

“There are ups and downs, that’s the truth, but there’s a whole season ahead of us and we want to find consistency as quickly as possible. A victory today would put us in a very strong position to qualify and that’d be a good signal, but there’s time even if we don’t seal it with three points against Betis.

“At the same time, we must never forget where we started from. It has been an anomalous year, there are many areas we still need to work on and it is part of a journey.

“With the hypothetical three points against Genoa, we’d be in fifth place. If you look at the statistics, the numbers are on our side and we are on the right track.”

Leonardo was asked about the reports Milan are ready to fire Gattuso and bring in Roberto Donadoni.

“I think Gattuso and all of us are accustomed to this, because a club like Milan will always be surrounded by rumours and speculation. It’s not a problem to discuss things with Gattuso, as we’ve known each other for 20 years and have been through so much together. We talk things over every day and continue to exchange ideas. As he said, there will never be a lack of respect.

“The rumours are normal, but I think now people recognise that and realise the rumours emerge and go away within a couple of days. It’s part of the game, we try to ignore it and I can assure you there’s no truth in suggestions we contacted any other Coach.”

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