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On the eve of AC Milan’s game against Fiorentina, Massimiliano Allegri answered the questions of the media at his usual pre-match press conference.
After the draw against Genoa mid-week, Milan have a bit of a point to prove tomorrow afternoon, taking on Fiorentina away from home. While La Viola have been terrible this season, they have at least turned things around a little in the last few weeks.
Speaking at his usual pre-match presser, as transcribed by MilanNews, Allegri confirmed that Luka Modric will be rested tomorrow. He also warned that Fiorentina are back on the right path after their tough start, which means it will be a very tough game for Milan.
Today is Fofana’s birthday. What’s the atmosphere like around him in the group during this difficult time?
“We wished Fofana the very best because it’s his birthday. He also played rather well in the game, but unfortunately slipped. These things happen. The player’s value is still important. He has done well so far and will continue to do so.”
Will Modric rest tomorrow? Will Fullkrug start?
“Nkunku is skilled and ready to play. Modric is unlikely to play, but he will be on the bench with us. We have recovered quite well. We will face a Fiorentina side that’s getting back to fitness.
“The standings don’t reflect the team’s strength. After the win against Cremonese and the draw with Lazio, we will find ourselves in a tough environment. It will be important to play well, both technically and physically. It’s disappointing not to have won against Genoa, but it will be an important point.”
More on Fiorentina…
“Fiorentina are a team with excellent technical quality. They have had some seasons where they have struggled, but they are coming out of it. We need to put in a good performance to follow up on the results we are getting.”
On refereeing incidents… What can be done to help referees?
“We have a good set of referees in Italy. It’s not easy to referee today. I think VAR is helping a lot. Finding a balance is difficult, you go and examine subjective situations and everyone has a different opinion. Before VAR existed, the referee would decide.
“Now the situations have moved from the pitch to the VAR room. VAR has resolved many incidents, but I don’t think it can do much more. Subjective situations are difficult.”
Pavlovic’s kicks on the penalty spot. A clever trick?
“That’s also the beauty of football sometimes. There are episodes that, when you look back on them after a while, even make you smile.”
In the summer, you didn’t mention Fiorentina among the Champions League candidates and Pioli made a note of it…
“I completely forgot them, I didn’t do it on purpose. I was sorry, and I’m also sorry for Stefano, who is a great coach…”
De Rossi returned to the Pavlovic incident, saying that he expected something else from the Milan players…
“I don’t comment on what others say. I think Daniele is a coach who’s just started out and has the potential to do well. The most important thing for him and for everyone is to do well in his career.”
Eleven points lost against the bottom-half teams so far…
“Fiorentina are a team that shouldn’t be in this position. As for the 11 points squandered, that’s football. If we have these points, it means we deserve them. If, if, if.
“If against Roma, Dybala scored and Maignan couldn’t save… We have 39 points and we need to analyse what we have and improve our performance. Against Genoa, we needed to improve in the final 20 meters. Ifs and buts won’t get you anywhere.”
Leao is still physically limited. How is he?
“Leao is feeling better. He was much better in the second half, he was more active. He still has to find his optimal condition. It’s important for him that he’s starting to score goals. He’s much more relaxed, so he forgets about things that aren’t related to football matches. The important thing for a striker is to score goals.”
Is there a reason why Milan struggles in attack early in the game?
“Right now, there’s a double aspect. We need to improve, we need to approach the game better. We absolutely must improve. There were periods where we started well, but when we got back on the pitch, we were out of the game. Now we have started to play a much better second half. We need to find our balance again.”
Inter and Napoli will face each other tomorrow. What kind of matchday is it?
“Football is full of surprises. We played after Napoli-Verona and drew. We need to keep up a good run. Thursday’s draw is an important draw. We missed out on two points, but that point allows us to temporarily sit second in the standings.
“We need to stay calm and collected, knowing that we will have to work hard to achieve our objective. There are Inter, Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Roma, and Como: two of them are still out of the Champions League. We need to stay balanced, which is also good for the club.
Who will replace Modric tomorrow?
“Ricci and Jashari are two excellent players. Ricci has played almost 1,000 minutes and is very reliable. I’m very happy. We now have four games back-to-back, so perhaps there will be more changes.
“When you play one game a week, it’s difficult to replace starters. Jashari will have a bright future, Ricci has made himself very useful. I don’t know who will play tomorrow, or maybe they will both play.”
Can the team be satisfied with fourth place?
“Fighting for that objective means staying in the top four until the end. Either a team falls 20 points behind or the season can be open until the end, we don’t know. We have to stay in the top four otherwise we’ll lose sight of the reality of things.
“Milan have changed 55% of their players, and we have had injuries. We are looking at things positively. We need to keep our feet on the ground and maintain balance. We weren’t great before, and we are not fools for drawing with Genoa.
Is Saelemaekers in a bit of decline? How’s Athekame?
“Athekame is a young player, he came on well on Thursday. It’s one thing to play 20 minutes, another to play 90 minutes. Saelemaekers did very well. It’s not a physical issue, he wants to give so much that he loses his rhythm. He has to stay calm because otherwise it penalises the choices he makes near the box.”
What is the team missing to be Allegriana?
“The team doesn’t have to be Allegri-esque; it has to be capable of performing well in both phases, and we have to improve. We could have performed better against Genoa in the final 20 meters, with more clarity. With this rush, we wasted a lot of balls inside the box. We are working with the clear goal of playing in the Champions League next year.”
On Leao and Kean…
“About Leao, I meant that Leao is maturing a lot during the game, so he’s becoming more concrete. He enjoys scoring goals more than doing nice but less concrete things. They are both extraordinary guys. They have extraordinary potential with completely different characteristics.”
Will Fullkrug start tomorrow? Is there too much pressure on Milan?
“It’s not like tomorrow will decide the season. That’s why I say the important thing is to be consistent and stay on target. We need to think about working game by game. We will have a tough road ahead.
“Let’s not forget, I said before Verona, in the nine games after Verona we have six away games and three at home. We need to stay calm and try to get as many points as possible. Fullkrug? I’ll decide tomorrow morning.
“Of my four forwards, all are fit and only two will play. This allows me the opportunity to make different choices and solutions.”
The game is scheduled for 15:00 CET, so it’s another rather early game for Milan on a Sunday, and as the manager highlighted it should be a difficult one. Tomorrow, or even later tonight, we should know more about the starters for the game.
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