AC Milan are on their way back into the Champions League under Filippo Inzaghi, his former teammate Alessandro Nesta believes.

The Rossoneri are currently seventh in Serie A after failing to win any of their last four matches, with Inzaghi having struggled since replacing Clarence Seedorf as coach in the summer.

But Nesta -- who played 325 games for the San Siro club -- believes Inzaghi will turn things around and finish in the top three, and says the club can play a major role in the Champions League next season if they qualify.

"Milan have a good team right now, even if they're not the side they used to be," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"Certainly they can't compete with the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid right now, but they can finish in the top three and have a good shot at the Champions League next season."

Nesta won Europe's elite club competition twice with the Rossoneri "when we took part in the cup to win it," while he also won the Serie A title three times, twice with Milan and once with Lazio.

Milan's recent form has led to criticism from supporters as the club struggle to recapture their glory days. Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Inzaghi's goals were crucial to that success, which the former Milan striker is looking to revive, and Nesta believes he is doing an admirable job under the circumstances.

"He's doing well, but it's not easy," he added. "Once upon a time, the club used to be able to spend lots of money on players, but that's no longer the case. Everybody's trying to do their best for Milan, from the president [Silvio Berlusconi] and [general manager Adriano] Galliani right down to Pippo.

"Let's hope things might change in the future."

Milan will first look to end their four-game winless run after the international break when they host city rivals Inter in the first derby of the season.

They then have games against Udinese, Genoa, Napoli and Roma -- four sides currently occupying positions in the top eight.