AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has said that November will "very important" for the Rossoneri as they seek to improve both domestically and in Europe.
The Italian giants suffered a nightmare start to their Serie A campaign, losing both of their opening home fixtures to Sampdoria and Atalanta.
Massimiliano Allegri has steadied the ship somewhat in recent weeks, and believes that Saturday's 5-1 win over Chievo signified his team turning a corner.
Howvever, Galliani believes that there is still a long way to go to rescue their season.
"The month of November is very important," Football Italia quotes Galliani as saying. "There are six fundamental games between the League and Champions League that will allow us to move up the tables.
"We are still far behind, we are 10th in the League, we must rise. It will not be easy, but we have to try. Tuesday's game with Malaga is a major challenge because if we win we would take a major step forward towards qualification.
"In the league we have collected seven points from our first eight games and as many in the last three. Our performance needs to improve, it will take time and we are still very far away."
Milan face Fiorentina at the San Siro this Sunday.