"Milan should shut up and work", says Pioli after humiliating defeat

suffered a 4-0 defeat against

at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday. They are now 12 points behind league leaders Napoli.

Pioli’s side lost with three goals against Inter in Supercoppa Italiana last week and now suffered a defeat for the first time in seven league matches.

"Right now there are many things that are not working, mental and tactical aspects,"

Pioli told DAZN.

"I'm here to talk because I have to, we should shut up and work. I too will try to talk less and work more.

"We have to get back to Milanello [Milan's training ground] quickly to work and work well, we're not playing according to our possibilities.

"Things aren't going well for us, that's for sure. In 20 days we haven't brought home any good performances or results."

Milan has conceded eight goals in their past three league matches, and Pioli admitted his team is struggling without the ball.

"The problem right now isn't too much with the ball,"

Pioli explained.

"But without the ball there's no cover and we leave too many spaces.

"We just have to work. The team needs to be more compact, attentive and collaborative. Continuing to make these mistakes means creating even more difficulties in the match.

"We have to go back to playing as we know how and do it as soon as possible. In the last two weeks the performances have not been what we expected and could have done."

who has not played this season due to a knee injury is getting closer to returning to action, but Pioli insisted Zlatan’s absence does not give them an excuse.

He added:

"It's too easy now [to blame Ibrahimovic's injury]. We don't want to have any excuses or justifications.

"I realise that it's a delicate moment for the boys. They will have my support. They will certainly want to be competitive again soon."

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