Massimiliano Allegri, the AC Milan boss, spoke to the media in a press conference as usual, ahead of the Serie A fixture against Pisa.
Milan plays as the league leader before the other matches…
“More than pressure, it’s a tough match. Pisa, except for Bologna, has always played fighting games, scoring and conceding appropriately, like against Napoli and Roma. We need to approach the match the right way. Then there’s a taboo to break, since we have to do slightly better against the other newly promoted team.”
Did you expect Milan to be this far ahead?
"I didn’t expect to be first, I only know we work every day and I inherited a squad with important players. But we are only at the start. We need to approach tomorrow’s match with great respect."
16 points in 7 rounds: Allegri has always won the Scudetto with these numbers…
“Let’s forget it. Teams change, even the same ones from one year to the next. What matters is finishing well, working quietly, without noise. The important thing is winning matches.”
You are a Livorno native against Pisa…
"I played in Pisa in 88-89, debuting against Milan. I was lucky. I remember president Anconetani with great affection, he was a visionary. It would have been interesting to see him in today’s football."
Could this round be a turning point in the season?
“Winning is not easy, it would be important to take another step up the table toward our goal, which is the Champions League. The Champions target will be around 74 points. We don’t think about Napoli or Inter, we think about winning tomorrow. A runaway? No, no runaway. We need to go slowly and calmly, keeping our feet on the ground.”
What about the issue of the match in Australia?
"The important thing is a decision comes soon, then we will adapt. If it is played in Italy it’s better, otherwise we will go to Australia.”
What is needed to aim for the Scudetto? Allegri commented:
"We need to score between 20 and 25 goals at most. Fans should dream, we need to work. Enthusiasm must be kept, but balanced. Tomorrow starts 0-0, we need three points by playing a valid match. Nkunku will be on the bench tomorrow, today we will assess Loftus-Cheek. Tomorrow we need another step forward."
Rafael Leao as main striker?
“Against Fiorentina he scored from a central area. I don’t transform Leao, I think he can play as first or second striker. The more he is involved in the center of play, the better. Rafa can play second striker very well and pair with Gimenez, Pulisic, or Nkunku.”
There was a lot of controversy after Fiorentina…
"These things happen. Decisions are subjective, for one it’s a penalty, for another it’s not. It’s part of football. With the speed of today, it’s hard for a referee to decide. Years ago a player had two seconds to think, now half a second. Football is different, players are physically different. You have to adapt to the moment."
Has Milan’s mentality changed? Allegri said:
“I inherited a team with good players. Last year Milan won the Supercup and reached the Coppa Italia final. Since I arrived everyone has put themselves at the team’s disposal. The first six months are for preparing the end of the season and arriving at March in the best condition.”
How is Santiago Gimenez?
"He trained well these days. I see him calmer and more serene, he is in good condition. The goal will come.”
What flaws does your team have?
"We need to improve. In Turin, in Juventus’ last action, we were not positioned well for Kostic’s cross. The same happened at the end against Fiorentina. Attention is needed in the final moments. One mistake can decide the match. We need to raise our level in this aspect."
How did you get into your players’ minds?
"We are a good group that works and we all have the same goal: a great season and returning to the Champions League. This requires responsibility, passion, and strong conviction. I’m happy with this group, composed of skilled and responsible players. Many young players are growing, guided by experienced ones like Tomori, Modric, Maignan, and Rabiot."
How much can Pavlovic improve? Could De Winter play tomorrow?
"De Winter could have a chance tomorrow. Pavlovic is growing a lot, he is young, and still has room to improve. He needs to improve defensively and in timing.”
Is Modric an example for everyone?
"He loses few balls, he is a champion. His passing speed and vision are different from others. He feels comfortable in that role and enjoys it a lot.”
Is this Milan mature enough to ignore the controversies?
“Tomorrow will require great maturity because we play against a team that will come to Milan to compete. Gilardino organizes his teams well defensively, it won’t be easy to score. Simple matches don’t exist, they are played and won. We must run like the opponents, then technique will emerge.”
Why does the team score more in second halves?
“We are growing physically. If we do better in second halves, it means we are in good shape. Those coming off the bench are giving us a big help. Players in the last half hour play a different game, the decisive one.”
Allegri, how is the team?
“We need to improve. Now we have 16 points and 16 points alone don’t get you far. The goal is to reach 40.”
How happy are you with Davide Bartesaghi’s progress?
"I’m happy because he is a player from Milan’s youth academy. He should be left calm and relaxed, he has the physique to play for Milan. Of course, he still has a lot to improve."
