74 points, 20-25 goals conceded: Allegri makes AC Milan’s targets crystal clear

The league table makes for very nice viewing at the moment if you are connected with AC Milan, but Massimiliano Allegri wants to keep everyone grounded.

Milan are top of the standings after seven league games, having racked up 16 points through five wins and one draw. There are still 31 rounds to go, so it is very much a marathon, but the chance to go four points clear – for the time being – by beating Pisa on Friday night is a tantalising opportunity.

As big a moment as that could be, Allegri repeated again in his pre-match press conference on the eve of the game the same messages that he has since the day that he landed for a second spell at the club.

The first is rather simple: amid all the talk of a title challenge, securing fourth place and a return to the Champions League is the main target. The second: there are numerical targets in mind to achieve this first aim.

Points and goals conceded

Allegri was asked by one reported in his presser about the possibility of breaking away from the chasing pack by beating Pisa, and whether the game was thus a potential turning point.

Winning isn’t easy, it would be important to take another step forward in the standings and get closer to our goal, which is the Champions League. Our Champions League quota will be around 74 points,” he responded.

“We’re not thinking about Napoli and Inter, we’re thinking about winning tomorrow. A break away? No, not a breakaway. We need to go very slowly and calmly, keeping our feet on the ground.”

Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Another journalist asked him what it takes to aim for the Scudetto, and while having previously declared that it is not the main aim, Max has a number in mind.

“We need to concede a maximum of 20 to 25 goals. The fans need to dream, we need to work. We need to maintain our enthusiasm, but with balance. Tomorrow we start 0-0, we need the three points by playing a good game.”

The journey has only just begun and we mustn’t forget where it began: with an eighth-place finish and a consequent failure to qualify for any European competition. Between now and the next international break Pisa, Atalanta, Roma and Parma await in order.

The derby is on the schedule immediately after the break, then from November 23rd to March 22nd there are no international interruptions. It is during that spell that we will understand what this team can really aim for.