A run of four games without a win, which included a 3-2 derby defeat to Inter and back-to-back 0-0 draws at San Siro against AEK Athens and Genoa, has piled pressure on head coach Vincenzo Montella.

ACM 9/1 to win Europa League

There is speculation that unsatisfactory results against Chievo on Wednesday and champions Juventus at the weekend could see Montella sacked, with former boss Carlo Ancelotti among those linked with his role.

Milan’s struggles have come despite an expensive overhaul of the playing squad in the transfer window, with more than €190 million reportedly spent thanks to the backing of new Chinese owners.

They were linked with Borussia Dortmund’s Aubameyang and Torino star Belotti but neither deal proved possible, and Costacurta feels either striker would have greatly improved Montella’s fortunes.

“With someone like Belotti or Aubameyang in attack, we would be talking about a very different Milan,” the 51-year-old, a winner of seven Serie A titles and a five-time European champion, told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s pretty clear they lack a quality centre-forward because they do get crosses in and their strikers make a lot of mistakes in front of goal.”