Pioli: Milan clash with Roma 'worth double' in top four

Milan's game against Roma on Saturday is 'worth double' as the two teams battle for Champions League qualification, says Rossoneri head coach Stefano Pioli.

Milan sits in the all-important fourth place in Serie A, but only because of their superior goal difference, with Roma also 56 points clear of Saturday's vital clash.

Pioli's men head to the Stadio Olimpico where the Giallorossi have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight league games at home, with no other team in Europe's top five leagues keeping more since the start of the season year.

Pioli acknowledged the importance of the game in his pre-match press conference, telling reporters: "We have to ensure the continuity of our performance, ensuring that the next game is the most important one.

"Tomorrow's match is worth double and we must face it with the right spirit and the right convictions.

"It's worth a lot. After tomorrow, there will be six games left. The more points we get, the better chance we have of getting into the top four, which is our big goal."

Pioli has been asked about his close relationship with winger Rafael Leao, who recently said his head coach is like his 'father' having racked up 22 goals in 41 appearances for Milan this season in all competitions.< /p>

"My players are all my children, from morning to night," said Pioli. "Even when I'm at home, I think of them.

"I talk to them every day, both about football and other situations: they are lucky, but they have the problems of 20-year-olds.

"Rafa is the player who has been most present in my office in recent years, so there is the strongest link."