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Massimiliano Allegri has waxed lyrical about Luka Modric, while also explaining how his AC Milan side can beat Juventus.
It is a case of ‘so far, so good’ for Allegri in his second stint at Milan. With 12 points from a possible 15 on the board already, his side currently sit top of the table, but they travel to face a team that have picked up just one less point.
There are many sub-plots to the match in Turin, such as Allegri going back to the club he has managed in two separate stints, and Adrien Rabiot revisiting the Allianz Stadium too. Then there are Koni De Winter and Manuel Locatelli, who started their respective careers on the flip side to where they are nw.
Allegri previews Juventus
Allegri gave an interview to DAZN that was published on the day of his return to face his former side and he spoke at length about various aspects, with MilanPress transcribing his words.
You’ve never won at the Allianz Stadium as an opponent…
“This is fun. It’ll be a good match, let’s hope we win. Let’s hope it’s the first time.”
You have a special bond with the city of Turin…
“Aside from my son, Milan and Turin have adopted me for 15 years now. When I was in Turin, I came to Milan. Now I’m in Milan and I go to Turin. It’s been 15 years like this, I’m very happy. Let’s not forget that my hometown is Livorno.”
How do you beat Juventus?
“You have to be good at playing a tidy and technically very clean game against a team that has excellent technical and physical qualities. They’re good at set pieces and have a lot of attackers.
“Tudor gives his teams a clear identity: they’re very aggressive, they’re the fourth-best team in the Italian league for turnovers, and they’re a team that has always scored. It’s a very difficult match, and we know it.”
Who will be Juventus’ striker?
“They have three very good centre-forwards. Vlahovic, Openda and David…”
How many points are needed for the Scudetto?
“It’s too early to say, but I’d say 86 to 90.”
Is there a maximum for goals conceded?
“I’m not happy if we concede 25 to 30 goals, but we’re definitely in the top two. Above 30 goals, we’re third to fourth; above 35 goals, you risk being left out of the top four. These are the statistics from the last 20 years of the Italian league.”
Is Koni De Winter ready? You gave him his Juve debut…
“He’s grown a lot. He was just a young boy, but he’s becoming a man. He can play full-back or central defender. He has great technical and physical qualities. I think Milan have made an excellent signing.”
What can you tell us about Modric’s impact?
“He got down on one knee and celebrated against Napoli. I’ve replayed what happened several times, because this is what we need to show children, players, because Luka Modric, besides being an extraordinarily strong player technically, has passion and love for what he does.
“He loves football, otherwise you can’t explain someone like him who has won so many trophies, I don’t know how many, the Ballon d’Or… at the end of Milan-Napoli he kneels in the middle of the pitch.
“This, more than the technical example, what he did on Sunday at the end of the match is an example for all the other players and for all the kids who grow up and play football.”
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