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AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri has insisted that the Coppa Italia is a target, while he revealed that Youssouf Fofana has picked up an injury.
Milan will take on Lazio in the last-16 of the cup hoping to book a place in the quarter-finals. The Rossoneri haven’t lifted the trophy since 2003, while their opponents on Thursday night have won it four times since then, so they are certainly more so Coppa Italia specialists.
There is a feeling of revenge in the air too for Maurizio Sarri’s men, who were furious they did not get a late penalty in Saturday’s Serie A meeting. Lazio’s ultras have already spoken about creating ‘hell’ for Milan, while they accused the head coach of influencing the decision for the non-penalty.
Max speaks to Mediaset
Allegri did not hold a pre-match press conference, but instead gave an interview to SportMediaset who will broadcast the game in Italy. His words have been relayed by MilanNews.
You’ll meet a fiery atmosphere and an angry Lazio…
“We’ll find a great atmosphere, as always, in Rome. We’re playing Lazio in the Coppa Italia round of 16: it’s an important objective for both teams. It will be a great match against a tough team, as we saw on Saturday.”
Do you want to win the cup?
“The Coppa Italia doesn’t interest anyone until the round of 16, but once the competition starts to move forward, everyone is rightly interested. We’ll have to play a good match, it won’t be easy because we’re playing away.
“There won’t even be extra-time, so we’ll have to make the most of the 90 minutes we have, against a team that has the same objective as us.”
What do you think of Sarri’s proposal to move the VAR screen to the opposite side from the dugouts?
“It could be a good solution, but we shouldn’t decide that – there are competent bodies. We have to focus on playing and doing the best we can.”
How is Pulisic?
“Pulisic is available, Fofana isn’t, and we hope to have him against Sassuolo. Athekame isn’t, and Gimenez isn’t either, and he’s working on his return. I need all the players, and it’s important for everyone to be available. The further we go, the more important substitutions become.”
So this is an opportunity to see Jashari’s qualities?
“More than just testing Jashari’s skills, it’ll be an opportunity to see his physical condition. When he arrived, he’d been practically sidelined for a month and a half. He played 45 minutes and was injured for two months. I’m also curious to see his fitness level.”
Will we see Nkunku?
“I haven’t decided on the lineup yet. He had a great match on Saturday. At the crucial moment at the start of the second half, he handled every ball as technically as possible. He’s a player with extraordinary technique, he’s settling in very well and is improving his fitness.”
Is Maignan an added value?
“Mike is doing well, as is the whole team. Tomorrow, the focus is on finishing the game in 90 minutes, but there’s a chance of penalties, so we need to be ready for anything.”
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