Massimiliano Allegri, Milan boss, spoke to the media ahead of tomorrow's clash versus Fiorentina:
What kind of team did you find after the break?
“Yesterday was our first full training session together ahead of tomorrow’s match. The players are doing well, though matches after the break are always unpredictable. From tomorrow, we start a new cycle of five games, an important month. Tomorrow is the first of those matches, we must play with focus. Fiorentina have put in strong performances regardless of their position in the table. For us, it’s a chance to take another step forward and strengthen our position.”
On injuries and Leao’s ups and downs:
“This week he trained well, he worked hard all week. He needed to regain good condition, I think he’s ready to be one of the key players again. But as much as we need him, we need everyone. Everyone must be available for the team. I’m happy with his form. Rabiot and Pulisic are out, unlikely to be available. Estupiñán won’t play tomorrow. We’ll assess Nkunku, he has an issue with his toe, if he can wear his boot he’ll be with us. Saelemaekers is fit. We have enough players for tomorrow’s match, no issues in that regard. Injuries are part of the season, you must handle them properly. It’s an extra motivation.”
Is Rafa a champion?
“He has extraordinary technical quality, but he should be allowed to play and express himself. What matters is simple, the pitch. That’s where performances speak. Too many words are said around Leao. He’s a great kid and wants to do well, the injury stopped him. He’s regaining good condition and I think he’ll do well from now on. At the end of his career we’ll see, with time, if Rafa was a champion.”
What rules could help prevent injuries during international breaks?
“I agree. Next year the two breaks will be merged, a longer one means players injured with their national teams will have more time to recover. You also need to accept some things… injuries happen. This is the most dangerous period. Usually, injuries occur in the November break when players have played many matches. Statistically, November and March are the riskiest months. We’ll need to find solutions, there’s always one. Football has evolved and gone global, we can’t go back. I read a proposal to move matches from 8:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. That allows players to go to bed earlier, three more hours of rest could help. That could be a solution.”
On Fiorentina:
“Every match is hard, both to play and to win. Fiorentina have great quality and attacking players capable of scoring. They’re well-coached and organized. They deserve more points than they have. That’s why we’ll need great focus, like in recent games, improving in both phases. We’ve done good things, but we’re still far from May. We must take small steps. Tomorrow is one of those steps we must take.”
Do national team coaches need more sense? Pulisic had a problem and was made to play in a friendly. Without him, who takes penalties? Allegri replied:
“Not Pulisic, since he’s out. We’ll see in training. We must improve our conversion rate, Milan have missed 5 of the last 7 penalties. It’s hard to discuss the breaks… I’m a club coach, I think one way, a national coach thinks another. These things happen, we must find balance. Now the players can rest, and we’ll have them fresher in November.”
How do you avoid getting angry about how Pulisic and Rabiot were handled? How did you find Santi Gimenez?
“He’s doing well, in good form. As for the news, when there’s a problem you find a solution, you don’t waste time talking about it. Otherwise, you lose focus.”
Pioli said Milan suffered more than the numbers show:
“We did suffer against Napoli at home, playing with one man down. In other matches there were moments when we gave something away. In Turin, for example, on Kostic’s cross in the 92nd minute, Gabbia did very well, but we risked dropping points. Matches are decided by errors or by individual quality. We must remember every ball counts if we want to reach our goal. One mistake shouldn’t cost Milan a match. One point less could decide whether we win the Scudetto or qualify for the Champions League.”
On Rabiot and France’s staff, with Deschamps saying it was only a bruise:
“So what do you want me to say? (laughs). I already answered. We need calm, we can’t go back. Rabiot won’t play tomorrow even with rest, he must recover properly. The soleus muscle, like Leao’s, is tricky, it doesn’t warn you, then suddenly forces you to stop again. Same goes for others.”
On Milan–Como in Australia:
“It’s not official yet. Once it’s official, we’ll prepare. We’ll find the best way to go to Perth for a match worth three important points. We shouldn’t waste energy thinking ahead. Tomorrow we face Fiorentina, that’s the focus. After Fiorentina, we’ll check who’s fit for Pisa, then for Bergamo. Matches after the break are like the first games of the season, you must approach them carefully with the right mindset.”
On possible changes tomorrow:
“I can’t decide until tomorrow morning. We have players like Athekame, who can play on both sides, and Pavlovic, who can be an excellent left-back. The key is that the team plays as a unit, with humility, compactness, and respect for Fiorentina. That’s how we’ll perform well.”
What happened in the dressing room in Turin?
“Nothing special, things like that happen. You play in Turin, have a chance to win, and after the final whistle you can’t be happy if you don’t. If you want to raise the bar, you must be angry after those games. That goes for everyone in the club. It wasn’t a match we suffered through, it was one we could and should have won. When you can win, you must win. When you can’t win, you must not lose.”
Does Leao need motivation from criticism?
“Leao has good qualities, and football is about one thing, performances. He has great talent, we all expect a lot. He must help the team with his skills. Now that he’s fit, I’m happy to have him available.”
Can substitutes have a bigger impact?
“The bench is important. Nkunku arrived at the end of August without fitness, now he’s been out for three days, went to the national team. These coincidences slow players’ progress, but they’re high-level players. While waiting for them, we must keep getting results. That’s why it’s key to take small steps, not big ones.”
What’s your relationship with Pioli? You often talk about Milan’s winning mentality, but also about finishing top four. After Juve-Milan, is this team ready for the Scudetto?
“We’ll see in May. The league is won by the strongest and most deserving team. Only the pitch matters. I have a good relationship with Pioli, he was the last coach to win the Scudetto, and winning is never easy. I’m sure he’ll do great work at Fiorentina too.”
Allegri, do you start again from the reaction in Turin?
“Rather than starting again, we must continue what began in July. The players are working hard to improve and finish in the top four, which isn’t easy. After the penalty in Turin, the team reacted immediately, handled the setback well.”
Do Rabiot’s and Pulisic’s replacements change the style of play?
“Yes, because their characteristics are different. When Rabiot and Pulisic play, the game changes. With others, it’s a different approach. What matters is everyone performing their role well. Tomorrow we have players to play a strong match.”
Where does your calm confidence come from? Have you matured in that sense? You’re here to reassure us despite many absences.
“Maybe because I’m funny (laughs). Some players are missing, but the team must cope. Not everyone can play 38 matches at full intensity. Everyone knows their importance for Milan, everyone must be ready. There are no absentees, only four players who will rest for a month (smiles).”
