AC Milan manager Sinisa Mihajlovic was livid and said his side "did not deserve to win" after Saturday's 2-1 victory over Empoli.
Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano provided the goals as Milan claimed their first win of the season, but the result did little to placate Mihajlovic after the game.
"We did not deserve to win," Mihajlovic told reporters. "Nothing has changed from last season. There was too much fear."
Mihajlovic took over afer Milan's finished 10th under Filippo Inzaghi last season.
The new boss was angry with his team's response after Milan conceded an equaliser just four minutes after Bacca's opener.
"After Empoli scored there was a total blackout," Mihajlovic said. "The only reason we won was thanks to the two strikers who got goals out of nowhere.
"The only thing to save about tonight was the result. We did relatively well until we conceded the goal, then we just collapsed.
"The team was too timid and the only difference from last season was the two strikers who created something out of nothing."
Mihajlovic suggested that Milan's problems were more mental than physical.
"We above all have to work on our minds. We work well during the week and train properly, then in the game the strikers make the right movements and are never given the ball," he said.
"We have to do something on a psychological level, because we cannot go on like this. We're strong in attack, but they need service, otherwise they won't score."
Mihajlovic then criticised his midfielders for leaving his forward on an island.
"The only reason they got those two goals was they created them themselves," said the manager. "The midfield didn't move well, didn't take risks or take responsibility, always going for simple passes that were never going to break through Empoli.
"Clearly the most important work I have to do is psychologically. I had thought until tonight that we were doing fairly well.
"Milan would've lost this game a year ago, but that is only because they didn't have these strikers. Nothing else has changed."
Mihajlovic said it was up to him to remove the "fear" he sees is limiting Milan.
"I do not understand this fear the team has," he said. "I know San Siro is a demanding crowd, but we must show more character.
"I have to make the players shake off this fear and rediscover the joy of playing football. Something is wrong in their heads.
"I take responsibility, as it is my job to put this grit and determination into the team. Once we shake these ghosts of the past off, the team will do well."