1 week ago
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On the eve of the game between AC Milan and Roma at Stadio Olimpico, Massimiliano Allegri spoke to the media at his usual press conference.
Milan are heading into the game with some confidence, following two consecutive wins, but it’s expected to be a tough one indeed. Roma have also done very well under their new boss, Gian Piero Gasperini, who in many ways is the complete opposite of Allegri.
Speaking at the pre-match presser (via MilanNews), Allegri admitted that it will be a very difficult one for Milan, given just how well the Giallorossi have done. He also shared an injury update, with Alexis Saelemaekers making his way back into the squad after a swift recovery.
Gerry Cardinale visited Milanello this week. What energy did he bring?
“The owner’s visit was a great pleasure for everyone. It’s an important moment of the season, as we are playing for Champions League qualification. It was a great visit, and we are very happy about it. We just have to focus on the pitch and the result.
“Tomorrow, we have a great match to play. We will be facing a team that’s fighting with us for the top four spots. Gasperini is doing a great job. Roma have become a team that reflects their coach on the pitch: they are aggressive, very good in both phases of play, and have the best defence in the league.
“We need to be very good, knowing that a great atmosphere awaits us. We will have to play a very technical match.”
Injury updates…
“As for the injuries, today we will have our last training session and evaluate everyone. Saelemaekers was much better yesterday, and today I will decide whether to start him or not.
“Gimenez will certainly be a great asset for the end of the season. Leao is still dealing with this small issue, but he will be available. We are ready to play this long, exciting, and challenging match.”
On Roma…
“It’s not a surprise. I knew that with Gasperini, they would be there to fight for the Champions League. There are four teams competing for three spots, and Inter are projected to get 90 points. Let’s hope the teams in Europe advance as far as possible so there are five Champions League spots, otherwise one team will be left out.”
On Leao again…
“There’s some inflammation in his adductor/pubic muscle. It’s a terrible pain, a bit annoying. We have four players up front for two spots, so I have the option of putting fresh players on: the last 30 minutes become crucial.
“Consistency? He has grown and needs to grow further. He’s not lacking in talent, he just needs to find consistency in his performance. But it’s almost impossible to find a talented player who can perform consistently for ninety minutes.”
Which players will start up front tomorrow? Did you like Ricci as a mezz’ala?
“As for Ricci, I’m very happy with how he’s developing; he’s a very intelligent player. Right now, the mezz’ala role suits him best; he’s able to move vertically and shoot on goal. Maybe in the future he could be an excellent defensive player, but right now that role suits him better.
“As for Leao and Pulisic, it’s not so much the playing time that matters, but how effective or effective they are. Pavlovic is back after a head injury; let’s see if he plays tomorrow.”
Have Roma changed since the first leg?
“In terms of aggression, no, but in terms of having a point of reference in attack, yes. Malen is a good player and he presented himself very well. It will be a different match for us defensively.”
On goals from corners…
“On Sunday, Gabbia had three important headers, and against Genoa, we hit the crossbar straight away… First of all, the taker is important, the receivers are important, then there are moments when you need to be more precise.
“Roma, with Cristante and Mancini, are dangerous and we will have to be careful. We can improve, just like when we are under pressure and need to move the ball around.”
The other teams are preparing for the mercato, while Milan are at a standstill. Do you think January’s deals could change the standings?
“We can only say this at the end of the season. Fullkrug’s immediate arrival was a very good move, as he has given us a huge boost right away. The club is working hard, and I’m very happy with the squad. Either we improve the squad, or we stay the same.
“The young players we signed in the summer are growing. Athekame has come in well, and Odogu is also growing in training. The important thing is to continue with this approach to matches and to have the conviction to reach the objective, which, I repeat, is a top-four finish.
“The league is complicated; there are competitive teams with coaches like Gasperini, Spalletti, and Conte who have finished in the top four almost every year. We will have to do our best, step by step, to reach the Champions League spot. The main objective now is to reach 50, then we will see.”
On Malen and Dybala…
“I had the pleasure of coaching Paulo. He arrived at Juve when he was just a kid. He has an extraordinary technique and is very intelligent. He has a significant quality and there aren’t many like him around. As for Malen, he gives Roma an advantage thanks to being a reference point up front.”
On the communication of managers…
“As for the lack of press conferences from other managers, that has nothing to do with me, it’s their decision. As for my statements about the objective, it’s clear. Last year, Milan failed to qualify for the Champions League, and this year, for technical and financial reasons, they need to get in.
“That doesn’t mean we deserve it, but we need to earn it one step at a time. It’s so important for a big team in the Italian league to participate in the Champions League: the Champions League money helps manage the transfer market.
“The other day, the revenue figures for Europe’s top clubs were released: the gap between Italian, English, and Spanish teams is too big. Of course, a club, a team, like Milan, must strive to qualify for the Champions League.
“Why? Because this is Italian football, and a significant injection of money comes from the Champions League. We need to take it one step at a time; the objective is to qualify for the top four, and to get there, you have to work very, very hard, so we need to keep quiet.”
Milan crosses a lot, but sometimes the technique isn’t the best…
“That’s an unwritten rule: you have to be quick and precise in the last 30-20 meters. That’s where the difficulty lies. Almost everyone in football plays up to the last 30 meters; the best players are in the last 30 meters.
“The quality of the decisions we make needs to be improved, including the repetition of the movement.”
Does the Scudetto already belong to Inter?
“Inter, with 52 points, are the favourites to win the Scudetto and also to finish in the top four. It’s a given.”
AC Milan are playing three games in three weeks: how will you manage this time?
“More than just a physical level, it’s a matter of staying focused. We play when we are told to play, and we try to get points, which is the most important thing. It’s certainly unusual, but we can’t help it. We don’t waste energy on things we can’t change.”
The game is scheduled for 20:45 and as Allegri explained, the starting eleven is very much up in the air as things stand. There are four battles for the gaffer to decide, as per Gazzetta dello Sport, so a lot could happen between now and tomorrow.
What can be improved in this squad?
“The most important transfer market is the summer one, and the club has worked very well on both outgoing and incoming players. Teams keep their best players in January. Then there are exceptions, like Fullkrug: the director was very good at bringing him in at the start of the transfer window.
“If he had arrived a week later, he would have already missed two games. We take care of the pitch, the club takes care of the rest.”
How much does it cost you to play away from home for a month?
“Just don’t think about it. You just have to get things done. This is something that started on December 28th: in the nine games up to February 15th, we knew we had six away games. Let’s not think about that, but rather focus on what we have to do, which is the most important thing.”
Is tomorrow one of the four key matches for the season?
“From now on, points are key, not matches. You have to focus on getting points, regardless of the opponent. You have to reach the level that allows you to play in the Champions League.”
When will you give us a free-kick goal for Milan?
“I hope it will be tomorrow, I have this hope every Sunday. We don’t take many free kicks on the edge of the box. We have good kickers, but we need to get more free kicks. Let’s hope so tomorrow.”
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