Sky: What Allegri told the Milan players on his first day back at Milanello

Massimiliano Allegri has made significant changes to how AC Milan go about their business at the training ground. Right from the start, as a report claims, he made things clear to the players. 

It has been a positive start to the season for Milan, which few perhaps thought we would say after the defeat against Cremonese on the opening day. However, three league wins later, the Rossoneri have a good position in the league standings.

Napoli are up next and that will be a proper litmus test for the Rossoneri, with San Siro expected to be sold out too. In any case, the feeling is that they are more ready to face such a game now, having benefitted from Allegri’s clear chances.

The gaffer’s first words

Speaking live on Sky Italia earlier today (via MilanNews), discussing the build-up to Milan-Napoli, the journalist Peppe Di Stefano also shared an anecdote on Allegri’s first words back at Milanello. Furthermore, he explained some of the major changes made by the gaffer.

Di Stefano’s words…

“Milan have been completely overhauled by Allegri. Among other things, in the room with a fireplace at Milanello, where Berlusconi used to hold those informal press conferences with the media, there is now a single table with 22 seats.

Image: AC Milan

“This was decided by Allegri, who wanted to avoid the usual tables of six or eight, putting all of the players in the same places to improve the confidence and relationship between them. French and English are the main languages in the squad, but there, they all speak Italian.

“A work ethic that seemed lost has now returned. And subsequently, the results came immediately. However, what makes the Milan world so happy right now is not the five wins this season, but rather the renewed awareness of what it once was.

“I’ll end with an anecdote. During the first day of the pre-season at Milanello, Allegri brought together the team and all the training ground employees and said: ‘I’m the first to laugh and joke, but I ask you to be serious during training, be punctual, and sweat for your shirt even in training.'”