AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli was delighted after their 5-1 thumping of Cagliari.

Ismael Bennacer, Christian Pulisic (2), Tijjani Reijnders and Rafael Leao struck for the 5-1 win.

Pioli said: It is very important, because we were not accustomed to going this long without a victory. Clearly, after Europa League elimination and defeat in the derby, we had a delicate moment and suffered in that situation.

Being able to win tonight and improve our position in the table is important. It wasn't the greatest performance, but the lads showed sacrifice and focus to get out of this moment.

"No team managed to maintain the incredible level of performance and results that Inter did. This is a squad that gave its all, but couldn't maintain the same consistency as Inter and therefore could not stay close enough to keep it open during those decisive moments of the campaign. We also lost confidence, but Inter were a level ahead of everyone, not just us."

He added: We are a big club, there are big expectations, so ferocious criticism is to be expected, just as ebullient praise is expected when you win. That is part of the job, you have to accept it all or you do a different profession.

I try to help the team to overcome difficult moments and play as well as possible, sometimes it worked, sometimes I got things wrong."

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Oilers crush Panthers in Game 4, stay alive in Stanley Cup Final
Dodgers ace leaves game against Royals due to triceps tightness
Sam Mayer uses overtime restart to win Xfinity Series' return to Iowa
Liberty forward pushes herself into MVP conversation with big game vs. Aces
Tiger Woods makes big admission about his U.S. Open future
Cubs P 'Mike' Imanaga continues hot start vs. Cardinals
Celtics' All-Defensive guard reportedly could replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA
Tee Higgins' contract decision adds pressure on Bengals in 2024
One-time Defensive Player of the Year open to reunion with former team
College baseball has become too regional for its own good
Three Padres prospects who should be untouchable in trade talks
Connor McDavid's history-making night helps Oilers stave off elimination
Astros scratch Justin Verlander as nightmare season continues
Watch: Oilers chase goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky from Game 4
Watch: Rockies third baseman takes advantage of Pirates laziness' to steal home
Pirates place young catcher on concussion IL
Watch: Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final gets off to chaotic start
Rockies 1B, former NL MVP diagnosed with internal oblique strain
NBA insider shares update on J.J. Redick's candidacy for Lakers HC job
Nationals hurler DJ Herz makes impressive history in third career start

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.