Milan midfielder Michael Essien says the Rossoneri can fight for a top two finish in the Serie A this season.
After a positive start to the season, Milan lost to Juventus and could only manage a draw away against Empoli on Tuesday but the 31-year-old believes a top two finish is a possibility.
"I am hoping to contribute to Milan's success in any way I can and hoping we can finish in the top two or three," Essien told FIFA's official website.
"We have high hopes of doing well and my job like any other Milan player is to fight for the club when called upon so we can succeed as a group.
"I'm sure it will help us [not playing in Europe] although we still would liked to have been in Europe.
"We have to look ahead but we mustn't forget we need to work hard to be able to do well in Serie A. Not being in Europe doesn't automatically mean you'll do well.
"It means fewer games and good recovery times compared to those in Europe but we still have to work hard and take our opportunities as they come throughout the season."
Milan made a number of changes in the summer including the arrival of new coach Filippo Inzaghi and striker Fernando Torres on loan from Chelsea.
"He's [Filippo Inzaghi] a good person first and foremost and is doing a good job as a coach too," said Essien.
"He's relatively young as a full-time Serie A coach but I have no doubt he'll do well if he carries on in this way.
"It's not easy to coach and manage football clubs, let alone a great club like Milan, so I have a lot of respect for him for taking up the challenge and he is giving it everything he has.
"I really hope he [Fernando Torres] does well for Milan and for himself because he's a top striker and we'll benefit from his goals.
"He's a hard worker both in games and in training and that can also serve him well at Milan. One thing Milan can expect to see is 100 per cent all the time from him. I am convinced we'll see lots of goals from Fernando."
