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On the eve of AC Milan’s game against Lecce at San Siro, Massimiliano Allegri spoke to the media at his usual press conference.
Milan are high on confidence after their comeback win against Como, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 success. As things stand, they are just three points behind their city rivals Inter, so the Scudetto race remains a tight one despite the Genoa and Fiorentina draws.
As usual, Allegri spoke to the media at the pre-match conference (via MilanNews), this time scheduled for a little earlier than usual (12:00 CET). In any case, he shared his thoughts on the recent discussions about his tactics, the game against Lecce and player rotation.
On Commisso…
“My first thoughts go to the Commisso family, my deepest condolences. Football has lost a man of sport, with great passion. He did so much good for Fiorentina.”
On the game…
“Lecce are coming off two excellent performances, especially against Inter. They struggled just enough and didn’t concede too much. In our last three home games, we have drawn two and won one. We need to get back to winning at home. We need to follow up on the win against Como.”
Injury and player updates…
“Pavlovic is unlikely to be in the game. Until yesterday, he couldn’t head the ball. Gimenez is still out. The others are more or less all fine. Tomorrow there will be some changes, because it’s the fourth game in two weeks.
“The important thing is to have team spirit and the desire to achieve the objective, this must be clear to everyone: even when the games aren’t played well, the result must be achieved. It’s important to know how to read the game.”
Rabiot said the Como game was one of the key moments of the season…
“Yes, it was an important match, especially to stay in contention for the top four. We have three away games after tomorrow, completing a run of three home games and six away games. So, we will need to win with a good performance starting tomorrow.
Results-oriented or game-oriented?
“A good match was played against Como by two teams who interpreted the game differently. Maignan was key. We knew that Como are tough to play against.”
Missed opportunities?
“Everything can and must be improved. We must face Lecce with focus and determination. Lecce have technical and quick players up front. We need to be organised, concrete, and compact.”
What is the gap with Inter and Napoli?
“It’s a question that covers recent years, where Inter have always won or finished second, while Napoli have won the Scudetto in the last three years. Milan have changed 55% of their players this year, mixing more experienced players with younger ones.
“Milan’s future depends on the final result, reaching the top four: Italian football doesn’t allow a top-level team to remain financially outside the top four. We have a responsibility, beyond trying to play well and entertain, which is to achieve a goal that is a priority.”
What will the starting XI changes be?
“I don’t even know. I’m looking at the team today. We will see who has recovered best. Leao was crucial, but as soon as he gets over his adductor problem, he can and must do much better. Fullkrug also did very well.
“I need to figure out who’s fit and eligible today, who’s in top physical condition. The substitutions will be important; in Como, they were crucial. Not because I’m guessing right, but because the guys are making themselves available to their teammates.”
Can Camarda for Milan what Pio Esposito is for Inter?
“He’s at Lecce. He’s not with us. I think Milan, from what I’ve seen this year, has players like Camarda, Bartesaghi, and Comotto who come from the academy and have experience in Serie A and Serie B.
“Milan have always brought out good players, but you have to be patient, let them play, and choose the right path. The club did the right thing by sending them out.”
Where is Fofana in your project?
“He’s doing well, he’s a guy who gives it his all: he makes himself available like everyone else. There are times when things aren’t going well, but if he always makes himself available to the team, that’s the most important thing.”
Is Maignan the best goalkeeper in the world?
“I don’t know, because I don’t know much about goalkeepers. He’s important, he’s a captain and an international player. The saves he makes are normal for him, which means he’s at a very high level.”
Does it bother you to hear about Milan’s success? What’s your take on Fabregas’s comments?
“Luck is a part of life: the more we seek it out, the better. I think it’s disrespectful to everyone who works at Milan, with whom we are achieving some great results. We mustn’t lose sight of the end goal, knowing we have to work hard and have the humility to work within our own limits.
“Fabregas is a young coach, but he’s achieved a lot, leading Como to a high position: he will have a very good career, and it’s difficult to talk about matches with ‘what ifs’. They played very well, but we played better in the second half.”
On deciding the penalty taker against Como…
“I was lucky because I asked Nkunku to take it… Pulisic is also among the penalty takers. Leao and Nkunku were on the pitch, so I chose Nkunku. It wasn’t very good, but it went in.”
What do you like most and what do you think could be improved?
“We definitely need to improve our ball control and build-up play under pressure. The most important thing is that we try to improve every day and work towards the final goal. We shouldn’t get too excited about finishing second, but focus only on tomorrow’s match.
“We need to maintain consistency in our results, which isn’t easy in the Italian league. This team and these guys want to do just that: we need to work hard and face difficult moments with confidence.”
How important is Fullkrug?
“Important because he played with a half-broken toe. Ge wanted to travel with the squad, he came in and made himself available. Players like that can also help others in difficult moments.”
Can Saelemaekers play as a full-back?
“Saelemaekers already played as a full-back at times, and we also have Athekame who came in with the right attitude against Como.”
How far will Leao go?
“Where he will end up depends on him. It’s normal for a player like Leao to be decisive: he needs to improve his condition, because today he’s available but he’s not in great shape.”
Could Maignan’s renewal be a sign of ambition?
“I believe the club is ambitious and should aim to play in the Champions League and remain competitive for the top four. Fullkrug arrived, and the club was quick to bring him in.
“I’m also very happy with the players we have in the squad, who are improving: if Odogu were needed, I’m sure he would perform well. Bringing in players who aren’t needed or won’t improve the club makes no sense.”
Lots of points recovered from deficit situations…
“We will have to take the lead every now and then… We need to try to do what we did against Verona, giving ourselves an easier game. Lecce’s results aren’t reflecting their performances right now: against Inter, they were very, very good in terms of running and defending.”
Tomorrow’s game is scheduled for 20:45 and Inter will take on Udinese at 15:00 today. Regardless of the result in the Nerazzurri’s game, however, Milan have to secure all three points. Especially since they have already beaten Lecce twice this season (2-0 and 3-0).
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