Mahamadou Diarra has praised AC Milan while saying that Real Madrid need more time to gel together as a team.

The Real Madrid midfielder praised AC Milan as one of Europe's quality sides, despite their shabby start in Serie A.

"A great team in Europe is always a great team in Europe. It is true they are a little lost in the Calcio, but a game between two big teams like this is always difficult", he told Radio Marca.

At the same time, he warned that Real cannot afford to lose against Sporting Gijon on Saturday in the Primera Liga. "A great team can not lose twice in a row in four days, that would would be very bad for us."

However Diarra said that with the number of new signings made in the summer, the squad needs some time to start gelling together.

"I think the team is still forming, because if we look, the club have signed very well, but there are many new players and, given that fact, the results are not so bad, we just need a little more time."