Stefano Pioli hailed Milan's "mature mentality" as he acknowledged his team are going through a rough patch of form.
Milan scraped into the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday, as a 1-1 draw with Red Star Belgrade was enough to seal an away goals victory from a tie which finished 3-3 on aggregate.
Franck Kessie's early spot-kick – his seventh penalty goal of the season in all competitions – saw Milan through, with El Fardou Ben's equaliser proving to be in vain.
Gianluigi Donnarumma marked his 22nd birthday with a sensational save to deny Red Star a second, with Marko Gobeljic then seeing red as the visitors' comeback efforts were fruitless.
It was the first time Milan have progressed from a two-legged European tie having not won the first game since 2006-07, when Carlo Ancelotti went on to guide the Rossoneri to their seventh European Cup.
However, it is now four games without a win for Milan, who have lost their last two Serie A fixtures, including Sunday's damaging 3-0 derby defeat to title rivals Inter.
Pioli, though, insists he has faith in his squad to overcome their loss of form and learn from the mistakes they are making.
"The team might be young, but it has a mature mentality," he told Sky Italia.
"Clearly, we are not in our best period of form. The many victories gave us energy and confidence, so now those elements are lacking a little bit.
"It's a pity we didn't control the situation better, with a little more precision in our passing and our choices, but the important thing was to qualify.
"At this level, it’s about details and the tiniest margins can make a big difference.
"If we think about our season, it's still full of positivity. The season doesn't end here, winning the Europa League does give you a place in the Champions League.
"We are making more mistakes and aren't as solid as we were in the past, but it's a very important stepping stone and it's crucial that we managed to get through."
Asked to pinpoint why his team – who went unbeaten in Serie A this season until January 6 – have dropped off, Pioli said: "I do think perhaps there's some psychological fatigue more than physical.
"I try to stay with my players throughout the game, give them the right boost, but perhaps they are starting to feel the pressure.
"They shouldn't, because we are having a remarkable campaign and going through difficult moments will help us become stronger in future."
Birmingham investment approved by EFL
The EFL has approved Tom Wagner’s imminent investment in Birmingham.
The American financier and his company, Knighthead Capital Management, has agreed to purchase a 45 per cent stake in Blues under Shelby Companies Limited.
Birmingham and Wagner still need the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to confirm the deal before it is officially completed with the club’s parent company, Birmingham Sports Holdings Limited, having been looking for investment.
A club statement read: “The English Football League (EFL) has today approved the acquisition of 45 per cent in the Club by Shelby Companies Limited and is now awaiting approval in accordance with the rules of Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
“This exciting announcement comes after the exchange of two signed Sale and Purchase Agreements (SPA) on Sunday, 7 May.
“Shelby Companies Limited is managed by American financier, Tom Wagner, who was in attendance at Blues’ final game of the 2022/23 Sky Bet Championship season against Sheffield United.”
New Cardiff boss Erol Bulut still haunted by Turkish earthquake
New Cardiff manager Erol Bulut says he and his family are still affected by the huge earthquake that devastated parts of Turkey four months ago.
Bulut was manager of Gaziantep until nine days before the destruction there on February 6, but he was still in the Turkish city – just 23 miles from the epicentre – when the 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit.
“It was four in the morning and we were sleeping, I felt my house shake,” Bulut said of the earthquake which killed over 50,000 in Turkey and left nearly another 10,000 dead in neighbouring Syria.
“My kids still have a thing about that, thinking that it’s shaking and shaking.
“The small villages around Antep (Gaziantep) were totally destroyed. We couldn’t go out.
“We couldn’t drive to Istanbul because the streets were destroyed. We made a plan to get out of there.
“My squad was living on the 20th floor and they were shocked more. I called my squad together and they slept for one night in my house.
“Thank God I arranged a private jet and we left from Antep the next day. An ex team-mate of mine, one from Fenerbahce, he died.
“Also an ex-coach who was also with me, he died, too. It was not easy. If I think about this I don’t feel well. It was not easy for my country.”
Former Turkey Under-21 international Bulut has signed a one-year contract with the option of another two should things go well in Wales.
The 48-year-old has enjoyed success in Turkey by guiding unheralded Yeni Malatyaspor and Alanyaspor into the Europa League.
He also had eight months in charge of Fenerbahce – during which time he signed Germany international Mesut Ozil from Arsenal – but was sacked in March 2021 with the Istanbul-based club third in the Super Lig.
Bulut arrives in the Welsh capital on the back of Cardiff finishing 21st in the Sky Bet Championship and employing three managers – Steve Morison, Mark Hudson and Sabri Lamouchi – during a troubled campaign.
But Bulut, who was approached by Cardiff in 2020 before becoming Fenerbahce manager, said: “I had a conversation with Vincent (Tan, club owner) two weeks ago via a Zoom call.
“Vincent already got promoted two times to the Premier League. Why not a third time? We will make everything possible.
“Last year was not so easy to keep in the league, but we don’t want to be in that position again. So we will have to work for that.”
Cardiff are currently working under a transfer embargo with the EFL as they cannot pay transfer fees for players until May 2024.
The club is challenging the EFL ruling but it is unlikely to be revoked during this summer’s transfer window.
Bulut, who has targeted eight to 10 summer signings and will now run the rule over Cardiff’s out-of-contract players, said: “We have some players in our hand.
“Some players we will have to discuss, I think seven have contracts finished. I have to see the players in training for the first 10 days.
“I think around eight to 10 (signings) can be possible.”
Chelsea defender Maren Mjelde signs one-year contract extension
Chelsea defender Maren Mjelde has signed a one-year contract extension that ties her to the Women’s Super League champions until the end of next season.
The Norway international joined the club from Avaldsnes in her home country in 2016 and has helped Emma Hayes’ side to five WSL titles in that time.
She scored a memorable last-ditch penalty with the final kick of extra-time to rescue Chelsea from elimination in their Champions League quarter-final against Lyon in April.
The 33-year-old told the club website: “I feel really happy, Chelsea is my club and it has been for six-and-a-half years.
“I’m happy to stay here, it’s been my home for a long time and I’m really excited for next season.”
Chelsea Women general manager Paul Green added: “We’re delighted that Maren has committed to the club for another season.
“She is one of our leaders both on and off the pitch. Her experience and quality within the group is really important.
“She’s been a big part of our success over the years and we’re looking forward to seeing her again next season.”
Chelsea wrapped up their fourth-consecutive Super League title with a 3-0 victory against Reading in May, completing the double, having already lifted the FA Cup by beating Manchester United at Wembley.
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