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AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed Rafael Leao will be out against Hellas Verona, while he previewed a potentially decisive stretch of the season.
Milan will close out the calendar year with a home game against Hellas Verona, the side that were in the relegation zone before winning their last two games. The struggles that the Rossoneri have had against teams in the bottom half this season so far means three points is not a formality.
In fact, Allegri’s side were left frustrated in their last league outing before they departed for the Supercoppa Italiana, drawing 2-2 with Sassuolo despite being a goal up heading into the final 20 minutes of the game.
Allegri on injuries, form and defensive record
The coach will want to quickly transform the record against the lower-ranking sides, especially given some favourable fixtures (on paper) are coming up. Allegri spoke at his pre-match press conference on the eve of the Verona game, and MilanNews relayed his words.
In Riyadh, Milan lost the match, but the stadium was full of red and black. Tomorrow, 73,000 spectators are expected for Milan-Verona. Is this enthusiasm worth keeping up?
“I think the fans have been very present since the beginning of the year, and that’s a great thing for us. The important thing tomorrow is to try to get the three points against a tough Verona team; they have quick players.
“They’re a team that attacks the penalty area very well. We need to play a tidy game, trying to improve our defense, which, as a team, has been lacking in recent games.”
Is Nkunku ready for lift-off?
“I’m smiling because I think he has the qualities to perform well tomorrow too, given that Leao isn’t playing and won’t be called up: he’s got this discomfort that’s keeping him from running at his usual pace. I preferred to leave him at home because part-fit players aren’t good.
“Fullkrug arrived happy to have joined Milan and very eager. Gabbia is still out, he’s doing well, but we’ll see if he’ll be available against Cagliari, otherwise against Genoa. Fofana is fine, the others are fine except Gimenez, who is undergoing ankle rehabilitation.”
You’ve had difficulties against lower teams?
“Beating smaller teams isn’t easy at this stage of the championship. To win, you have to perform well in both phases, especially against smaller teams when you have much more possession of the ball, and that’s against us. We hope to get the three points tomorrow.
“Football isn’t explained, it’s played. We have 32 points, we need to get back to defending as a team: do everything we can to create problems for the opponent. We’ve conceded goals too easily. We need to get back to being tougher on the defensive end.”
Füllkrug will be the first January signing…
“He has characteristics that we don’t have in the team. My first impression is that he was very cheerful and very happy to have arrived at Milan. He’s behind in his fitness, he needs to work. This week he’ll get some playing time and he could be there against Cagliari.”
Do you have faith Nkunku will soon start scoring?
“Sometimes there are players who arrive and need more time to settle in, also due to character issues. He has very good technique, looking at him in training. I’m confident, he should be because he’s in an environment that wants him and expects him to score.”
Should the approach to these kinds of matches be adjusted?
“You can correct anything. There was a period where we were ahead, now we’re trailing: we hope to reverse this trend tomorrow. It’s not a question of approach but of focusing on the defensive phase in general.
“We need to go back to being more aggressive, because when we don’t have the ball, we have to think about defending properly.”
Looking at the mercato other teams might have, it won’t be easy for Milan to finish in the top four…
“I don’t know what Juve and Roma will do in the transfer market. I agree with Capello that finishing in the top four is very difficult. It’s important to get to March on top or within the top four. From tomorrow until February 18th, we have nine games: three at home and six away.
“Cagliari, Fiorentina, Como, Roma, Bologna, and Pisa are away. These are two very important months that must allow us to stay close to the top group. Tomorrow we have the first match against Verona, we hope to put in a team performance, orderly, with patience.
“They [Verona] split the game in two. Like all matches, they start with a good defensive phase. If we get back to not conceding goals, it’s easier to win games.”
Does the cost of his transfer fee weigh on Nkunku?
“I think it’s a matter of settling in. The Italian league is very educational, and it’s the second best in the world after the English one. It’s much more difficult. You have less space, they play hard on you, there’s much more malice, the games are dirtier. Maybe he needs a little more time to adapt.”
Does the cost of his transfer fee weigh on Nkunku?
“I think it’s a matter of settling in. The Italian league is very educational, and it’s the second best in the world after the English one. It’s much more difficult. You have less space, they play hard on you, there’s much more malice, the games are grittier. Maybe he needs a little more time to adapt.”
Did Fofana’s absence have an impact?
“He’s a very important player for the team. He can and must do more, he has to want it. There’s no need for tactical changes right now. I must try to bring out and make the most of the characteristics of the players I have available.”
Are Jashari and Ricci two players who could stay at Milan for a long time?
“Absolutely yes. Jashari is coming back from an injury. He’s been out for three and a half months. I’m very happy, he can only grow. Ricci absolutely won’t move: he’s a reliable player, an intelligent guy, and above all, he’s very keen to stay at Milan.
“I’m very happy, he’s always done well when he’s played. I don’t see the possibility of him leaving Milan.”
Without Gabbia, will you use De Winter or Tomori in the middle?
“I thought about it, I tried it, but I think that right now Tomori can play very well on the outside and De Winter can play very well as the middle centre-back. He arrived, he played well, and he made mistakes like everyone else. He can improve.”
What recommendations did he give?
“We’ve said that Verona is a team that has always played well. They have so many fast and technical players up front that if you don’t have defensive security at the back, you risk falling.”
Between Saelemaekers and Rabiot, who is the better balancer?
“They’re two players as important as everyone else. When we don’t have the ball, we all have to think about defending, even the strikers. Saele has significant potential to grow. Rabiot is an experienced international player. He’s improving after his injury, and that’s very important.”
How key is Loftus-Cheek?
“Ruben is an important player for us, I said it at the start and I said it even when he was playing less. In these nine games, we’ll need everyone’s help. We all have to have a clear goal: to get back to playing in the Champions League.
“Getting into the top four isn’t easy, it’s not complicated. We have to stay on our feet no matter what happens and take one small step at a time. It won’t be easy, but only with desire, belief, and determination can we achieve our goal.”
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