Pioli says Europa League rivals will fear Milan in last 16

Stefano Pioli was in bullish mood after AC Milan booked their place in the Europa League last 16.

The Rossoneri led their knockout round play-off tie against Rennes 3-0 after the first leg at the San Siro last week.

Despite a hat-trick from opposing midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud, which featured two penalties, Pioli's men secured a 5-3 aggregate victory.

With the prospect of coming up against the likes of Liverpool or Bayer Leverkusen in tomorrow's draw, Pioli said: "We will get a strong team in the round of 16. It won't be easy whoever comes out of the hat.

"But whoever it is, they won't be happy having to face a team like Milan either.

"We want to try, that much is clear. I think tonight's match confirmed that we have a lot of potential going forwards.

"But we have to concede fewer chances against our opponents."

Following Sunday's 4-2 defeat at Monza, Milan have now lost back-to-back games on the road.

They sit third in the Serie A table, two points behind Juventus and Pioli wants his team to bounce back at home to Atalanta on Sunday.

The Italian coach, 58, added: "We will go home with the satisfaction of getting through a difficult tie. It wasn't easy.

"This is Europe. They played an intense game.

"The Monza match did not go well but we have to think about the future and focus on our next game.

"We were going through a decent run in the league before Sunday.

"But we want to carry on with our momentum and catch up with those in front of us, especially Juventus."