Stefano Pioli Target’s Champions League Qualification Straightaway

After taking over from Frank de Boer, Stefano Pioli has straightaway set the target of finishing in the top three places this season.

The former Lazio manager may have not won any major honour in his managerial career, but he seems to have sufficiently impressed Inter Milan’s current owners to earn a contract until the summer of 2018. The club has already gone through nine different managers in the last six years. Stability is clearly absent at the San Siro, and just like their neighbours, Inter Milan have also been struggling with it comes to the domestic competitions.

The lack of Champions League has also made it difficult for the club to attract new players or pay astronomical wages without burning a hole in the pocket. As a result, the main target for Pioli would now be to finish in the top three places. It would provide Champions League football for next season. Even though it is November, Pioli reckons that Inter Milan can still finish in the top three.

Even though he admitted that it would be extremely difficult to do so, the 51-year-old did not think that it was impossible. Inter have taken 17 points from their opening 12 matches, but they remain only eight points behind AC Milan in the final Champions League qualification spot.

“We need to have a winning mentality. The squad has the right values to play in a concrete and winning way. The aim is to get them to play with passion, that's how we'll become a strong team.I would be happy if we get to the Champions League.

Last year at this time Inter was first and (eventual champion Juventus) was way down, we all know how it finished. I don't want anyone to be under any illusions. It won't be easy but there is time to do it,” said Pioli.