AC Milan coach Leonardo has appealed to Rossoneri supporters not to give up on his struggling outfit after Sunday's goalless draw against newly-promoted Bari continued a terrible start to the season.

GettyImagesLeonardo: His team were booed on Sunday

Storari saves Leonardo's blushes

The sale of Kaka to Real Madrid and the departure of coach Carlo Ancelotti means Milan are undergoing something of a rebuilding process but with the proud Italian club now languishing in 11th place in Serie A the supporters are quickly losing patience.

Just 34,000 fans turned up at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium to watch Milan on Sunday and many booed at the end of the game.

"We are struggling psychologically although our team has the experience to react," Leonardo said. "We hope that more fans can turn up to the stadium, the team needs their support."

The result against Bari capped a frustrating week for Leonardo. It followed the Rossoneri's 1-0 defeat at Udinese in midweek and left them seven points behind league leaders Sampdoria.

"Bari played very well," Leonardo said. "We struggled against them and in the end the boos, just like the applause, are also deserved. We risked losing this game so we have to be relieved to have claimed a point."

The biggest problem for Leonardo's squad has been its inability to score. They have managed just one goal in their last five league games. Top summer signing Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Ronaldinho have yet to score this season.

"We are really struggling to create chances," Leonardo said. "It is normal that the fans expect us to get a result at the San Siro."

Milan host FC Zurich on Wednesday in the Champions League and travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta on Sunday.