Massimiliano Allegri spoke to DAZN after Milan-Napoli, a big match won 2-1 by the Rossoneri despite being a man down. Here are his full statements:
On the match:
“I’m happy, it was an important test. Very difficult game against a Napoli team with great quality. We played a great first half. In the second half, the red card and the penalty forced us to play… let’s say we trained well for the defensive phase. It shows that when you defend a certain way, you rarely concede. This is only the beginning, we must enjoy this victory tonight and from tomorrow we must focus on the last game before the break.”
Was Milan lacking pride and team spirit?
“We need to keep working. This victory against a strong Napoli is a small step forward. If it had ended in a draw, nothing would have happened considering the game. We need to keep working. There will be more tough matches in the league, and if you play with this spirit, it’s easier to get results. Leao is behind in condition, Nkunku is improving: there are good signs to do well.”
Where did the idea to play this way come from?
“Honestly, from the first summer game against Arsenal: we played with two attacking midfielders, a double pivot, and Leao as striker. Then it depends on the characteristics of the attacking mids: if more defensive, they become a mezzala; if more offensive, a trequartista. We’ve always worked this way, sometimes we change in training to see if different solutions might be useful during the year.”
How does Rafael Leao fit into all this? Allegri answered:
“Up front we have Leao, Pulisic, Gimenez, Nkunku, plus Loftus-Cheek who moves between midfield and attack. Five players for two or three positions. It’s important that all improve their condition, especially Leao, who was out for 45 days and didn’t have much playing time. I feel sorry for Nkunku who didn’t play because he’s a very talented player and is good at managing moments. Gimenez worked very well. What matters is that whoever is on the pitch runs a lot because at the 60th minute a new match starts. Today was different because we stayed with ten.”
How did you make Luka Modric “Allegri-style” so quickly? He’s the second player in Serie A for interceptions…
“Luka is such an intelligent player… In Italy, in front of the defense, he gives more quality and manages himself better. He’s very smart in defensive actions too. Players in front of the defense usually should intercept more, and interceptions compared to tackles launch counterattacks. He’s very good at this. Ambrosini was also good when I put him in front of the defense. Less quality, but still good.”
After Cremonese, it seemed like a disaster…
“Football is strange. There we conceded two goals from the only two crosses we allowed, Maignan didn’t make a single save. Paradoxically, we conceded more against Bari than Cremonese. Football is strange. Against Cremonese, two lapses cost us goals. Then the more players play together, the more they improve.”
Are you already thinking about Juventus? Allegri said:
“No, no, absolutely not. Sunday is a great game, wonderful. I’ve done some here and some there. First at Milan, then Juve, then Juve again, then here. It’s also fun.”
