Gennaro Gattuso has hit back at claims that he is "the worst coach in Serie A" by highlighting his competitiveness and urging AC Milan to continue their winning run.

The Rossoneri edged into the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia by defeating city rivals Inter Milan 1-0 after extra time on Wednesday night.

Gattuso has endured a tough start to life as Milan coach, with results including a 2-2 draw against minnows Benevento and defeats to Hellas Verona and Atalanta leaving them 11th in the table.

"Perhaps I am the worst coach in Serie A but I always want to win, even playing in the garden with my son," the 39-year-old told Rai Sport after the win over Inter. "I want my lads to prove that what I saw tonight was not a fluke, then we'll take it one game at a time.

"Now there are two difficult games coming up in Serie A and we need points to climb the table. I didn't see much difference between this performance and the defeat to Atalanta. Some might call me crazy for saying that. We had the game with Verona in hand too until we conceded the first goal like dummies.

"This is a team that does well until it runs into the first hurdle and today we overcame the hurdles."

Up next for Milan is an away game at Fiorentina in Serie A on Saturday.