1 week ago
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Massimiliano Allegri has once again reiterated that a top four spot is the target for AC Milan, but praised his side for their start to the season.
Milan have a big opportunity in front of their home fans on Friday night, after Sunday’s comeback win against Fiorentina. They know that they can go four points clear at the top of Serie A, at least temporarily, ahead of a weekend which sees Napoli take on Inter.
The Rossoneri take on a newly-promoted Pisa side coached by former striker Alberto Gilardino. They have not won yet in seven league games, with three draws and only three goals scored, but the Cremonese match in round one shows that any opponent can be a banana skin.
Milan go into the game contending with injury issues again. The only recovery is Christopher Nkunku, meaning that Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Ardon Jashari, Pervis Estupinan, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and
Comments from the coach
Allegri spoke at his pre-match press conference at Milanello on the eve of the game to preview what could be a big early-season moment, and MilanNews relayed his comments.
Milan play first this weekend, and as the side in first. Does this add pressure?
“More than pressure, it’s a tough match. Pisa, aside from Bologna, have always played tough matches, scoring and conceding just enough, like in Naples and against Roma.
“We’ll need to approach the match the right way. Then there’s a taboo to dispel, given that we need to do a little better against the other newly promoted team…”
Did you expect Milan to be so far ahead at this point?
“It’s not that I expected to be first, I just know that we work every day and that I’ve inherited a team with important players. But we’re only at the beginning. We’ll have to approach tomorrow’s match with great respect.”
With 16 points from seven games you have always gone on to win the league in the past…
“Let’s forget it. Teams are different, even the same from one year to the next. The important thing is to finish strong, working with a low profile, in silence. What matters is winning matches.”
You’re a Livorno native, facing their rivals Pisa…
“I played for Pisa in ’88-89, making my debut against Milan. I was lucky. I remember President Anconetani with great affection; he was a visionary: it would have been interesting to see him in this style of football.”
Could this be a turning point in the season? Can you break away?
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.
“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.”
What do you think about the Australia match issue?
“The important thing is that a decision is made soon, then we’ll adapt. If it’s played in Italy, even better. If not, we’ll go to Australia.”
What does it take to aim for the Scudetto?
“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.
“Tomorrow Nkunku will be on the bench, today we’ll evaluate Loftus-Cheek. Tomorrow we need to take another step forward.”
Is Leao working as a centre-forward?
“With Fiorentina, he scored from the center of the pitch. It’s not that I’m converting Leao: I think he can play as a first or second striker. The closer he is to the centre of the pitch, the better. Rafa can play very well as a second striker and can pair up with Gimenez, Pulisic or Nkunku.”
There was a lot of controversy about the penalty in the Fiorentina game…
These things happen. Decisions are subjective; one player calls it a penalty, another calls it a no. It’s part of the game of football. With the pace on the pitch, it’s not easy for a referee to make decisions.
“Years ago, a player had two seconds to think; now, it’s half a second. It’s a different kind of football; even the players are physically different. You have to adapt to the moment.”
Is it fair to say the mentality at Milan has changed?
“I inherited a team with good players. Last year, Milan won the Super Cup and reached the Coppa Italia final. Since they arrived, everyone has made themselves available. The first six months are needed to prepare for the end of the season and arrive in March in top form.”
How is Gimenez?
“He’s been training well these past few days. I see him looking more relaxed and calm, he’s in good condition. The goal will come.”
What flaws does your team have?
“We need to improve. In Turin, in Juventus’s final move, we weren’t well-positioned to deal with Kostic’s cross. The same thing happened towards the end against Fiorentina.
“We need to be careful at the end of matches. We need to improve on this. A mistake at that moment can decide the match. We need to raise our level in this area.”
How did you get into the minds of your players?
“We’re a great group that works hard and we all have the same goal: to have a great season and return to the Champions League. To do that requires a sense of responsibility, passion, and great belief.
“I’m happy to have this group, made up of good players and responsible guys. There are many young players who are developing and are being supported by the more experienced ones like Tomori, Modric, Maignan and Rabiot.”
How much room for improvement does Pavlovic have? Could De Winter play tomorrow?
“De Winter could have a chance tomorrow. Pavlovic is growing a lot, he’s young, and he still has room for improvement. He needs to improve defensively and in terms of playing time.”
Is Modric an example for everyone?
“He rarely misplaces the ball; he’s a champion. He has a different pace than the others in his passing and his vision of the game. He feels good in that role and has a lot of fun too.”
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