ROME, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Italian Cup does not usually hold much appeal for AC Milan, a club spoilt by success in Europe and Serie A.

    But they might take the competition slightly more seriously this year as it is their only realistic hope of domestic success, the local media reports said.

    Milan, who are lying a lowly 15th in Serie A, took on second division Brescia Tuesday night and beat Brescia 2-1, booking the ticket to the quarter-finals.

    "The Cup match is a chance to start building a run of good results and gain a little confidence," said coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose side ended a four-match winless run in Serie A against Messina on Saturday.

    Before that 1-0 victory, Milan were looking so badly off-key that Italian bookmakers took the unusual step of giving odds on them being relegated to Serie B.

    "The Messina win gave us a little more serenity but there is still a long way to go," warned Ancelotti.

    "We have big challenges ahead of us in the championship and we have to be ready to meet them."

    The coach is under immense pressure. Some pundits say he will be fired at the end of the season if Milan fail to qualify for the Champions League by finishing fourth or higher.

    If Ancelotti cannot turn things around, the Italian Cup, which guarantees the winner a slot in the UEFA Cup, may be Milan's only route back to Europe next season, reports said.