AC Milan's head coach Massimiliano Allegri speaks to the media in a press conference ahead of tomorrow's Serie A match against Ivan Juric's Atalanta team.
Here are his words:
Speaking simply on paper, for whatever that’s worth, an important run of games is beginning for Milan. How does the team approach this stretch?
“We knew the schedule up to the next break included difficult matches, but they’re all difficult. Even on Friday against Pisa, we made things hard for ourselves. We could have done better. The focus must be on tomorrow’s match. Tomorrow we’ll have Loftus-Cheek back. Before the Parma game, we may recover Pulisic. We hope Estupiñán will be available against Roma, so that after the break we’ll have the full squad. We have a small group, but it’s enough to handle these games until the break.”
On Christopher Nkunku, Atalanta, and fatigue, Allegri commented:
“He’s improving his condition, he was out for quite a while due to the finger problem. We expect a lot from him, he has exceptional technique. When the same players play together, they get to know each other better and the team performs better. Physically, we’ll train less and recover more. This is the most dangerous period for injuries because of the match congestion. Playing in Bergamo is always tough, it will be a direct clash because Atalanta are one of the teams fighting for the top four," as relayed via Milan News.
Can Rafael Leao score 20–25 goals?
“I think he can reach that number. He’s improving physically and becoming more aware of his qualities as a forward. He must improve inside the box, he’s had good chances and used them poorly. He needs to be more clinical. He must improve a lot in the area, although he scores beautiful goals from outside. He needs to improve, like the whole team.”
On Santiago Gimenez and scoring difficulties:
“Everything can change in a moment tomorrow. Santiago is doing well, he works hard for the team. It’s not that because he came on against Fiorentina and did well, he must start. Then against Pisa, he didn’t play a good game, so he should be benched. Either a player is good or he isn’t. Gimenez is a good player, he’s always scored goals and he’ll score them here at Milan too.”
Serie A is wide open…
“The Italian league is open right now, then we’ll see who has the strength to maintain consistency in results. On paper, Friday’s match was two points dropped, but on the field, it was a point gained. Tomorrow we need to build continuity against a physical and technical team, then prepare in the best way for Sunday’s match against Roma.”
How do you deal with constant refereeing mistakes? Allegri said:
“You have to move forward, no other choice. You can’t go back. Refereeing is very difficult in this kind of football where the pace is extreme and there are many duels. VAR has improved many things, but when decisions become subjective, debates arise. Referees must be allowed to do their job, they make mistakes like we do, everyone does. There needs to be more calm in accepting errors. When a decision goes your way, you overlook it, when it goes against you, you open even your third eye (laughs). There are young referees, just like young players… With time, everything will balance out.”
Allegri, how do you manage Modric?
“Luka manages himself very well. He’s so good in this new role that it looks like he runs more, but he runs so efficiently that it seems that way. He plays wonderful football. The more he’s on the pitch, the better it is for everyone, including the spectators.”
For the AIA, Moreo’s tackle on Gabbia wasn’t enough to disallow the goal…
“I don’t know how to answer that. I told the team something important: we must focus on what we do on the pitch and accept refereeing decisions, good or bad. The last five minutes against Pisa were far too many to play like that. We needed composure and calm to build three actions that could have led to a goal, like Saelemaekers’ chance. We played poorly and all went forward, leaving Nzola twice alone in our half. If the ball had gone out, we would have lost a match that we’d still be regretting. We must focus on match situations, not refereeing errors. A team aware, not arrogant, of its strength knows it has the quality to win games. Controversy must not affect us.”
On Ardon Jashari and Christian Pulisic:
“Against Roma, absolutely no Pulisic. We hope to have him on the bench for Parma. His recovery is going well. Jashari should slowly rejoin the squad from Wednesday. He’ll need time. During the break, we’ll try to arrange a friendly because he hasn’t played for three and a half months. It’s important for him to return to team rhythm, get readapted, and regain his condition.”
After Pisa...
“It can mean a lot if we fix certain situations. We managed things well after the 1-1, but in the last five minutes we were too rushed, and haste leads to mistakes. We started throwing balls into the box, and with 20 players inside, you only risk counterattacks. Luckily we didn’t concede, but we should’ve managed better. If we were meant to draw, the match should’ve ended 1-1, not 2-2.”
Igor Tudor close to being sacked… Are you expecting something from the market? Allegri replied:
“If he’s dismissed, I’ll be sorry. He’s a great guy. Milan’s squad is strong. Injuries happen. We’re recovering players. Those who are playing are performing well. We’re in good physical shape and have played technically sound matches. We shouldn’t think about who’s missing. We have other good players ready to play. We don’t win or lose because of those five missing. When we’re full strength, we’ll only improve. Milan’s squad is strong.”
What should coaches do to help referees?
“Speaking for myself, I should get angry less, but I’m human and sometimes cross the line. I must try to control myself in those moments.”
The upcoming run of games:
“Tomorrow we have Atalanta. We want to reach the break in the best shape possible, then aim to finish December with a good league position. Milan’s season will be decided in January and February. We must stay close to the Champions League spots to fight for them from March onwards. We weren’t phenomenal before, and we’re not weak now. We must manage things properly. Football is about winning games, so we need to act, not talk.”
On Samuele Ricci:
“Samuele is playing in a role that’s not his natural one. Right now, he’s doing well, and I’m pleased. In some situations, he needs to improve the speed of his passing. Over the years, I believe he’ll manage that and be able to play in front of the defense.”
On Youssouf Fofana:
“Fofana is growing defensively too. He has extraordinary potential. He must demand more from himself because with his physical and technical qualities, he can do much more.”
Is it true you asked for a short squad? Allegri said:
“The number of players available was decided with the club. If I had a crystal ball to see that by October we’d have five injured after the international break, the club would’ve signed more. But there are positives. We’ve seen Bartesaghi has the potential to have a future at Milan. De Winter is a Milan-type player. Ricci too fits Milan. So there are positive signs.”
Do you agree with Conte that coaches should speak and not directors?
“I think there are moments when the coach should speak and others when the directors do, as it has always been. Everyone should focus on their own club.”
Would you like a challenge-based VAR system?
“In Serie C, that option exists. Since VAR was introduced, it’s normal to have a kind of joker to use once per match."
