Massimiliano Allegri has spoken to the media in a press conference before tomorrow's derby at San Siro.
Here's what he said:
Is tomorrow decisive? Have you heard about Ornella Vanoni’s passing?
"I followed her, she was a wonderful woman, ironic and charming as I could see on TV. We are very sad, it happened on the eve of the derby and she was a Milan fan… Although I read she recently liked Bonny (laughs). Tomorrow begins the period leading to March, hopefully in the best position in the standings. After March come the final two decisive months. During these months, we have Coppa Italia and Supercup matches. For now, the confirmed games until March are 20, if we do well they could become 22 if we advance in Coppa Italia against Lazio and play the Supercup in Riyadh. We have to work well like this week, the players returned well from international duty, and we had a good week of training."
About Adrien Rabiot:
"He plays!"
Milan performs better against top teams, does this give you confidence?
"I have confidence regardless. Tomorrow is very difficult because we play against a strong team. We work to play these matches, big games give you adrenaline and emotion in preparation. Then we’ll see if we were good, and a bit lucky, to get the result, or if the other side was better."
About the national team:
"If we stop the league we won’t play and will help the national team, but I believe the national team has great chances to reach the World Cup. Rino is doing good work. If the league pauses, we pause too, and it will be an advantage for the national team."
On the standings:
"The league is still long. In a week with two matches, the table can change in an instant. We must focus on the final goal: finishing in the top four."
Have you ever been close to Inter? How is your relationship with Marotta?
"Everyone knows, there was a year when I returned to Juventus and one night I had to decide: go to Juve, go to Inter, or go to Real. With President Marotta, we achieved great satisfaction, he is doing great work at Inter. To win matches, you must be pragmatic and concrete."
Bookmakers see Inter as the real favorite… Allegri said:
"We start at 0-0. Inter is a strong team, in great physical and technical form, but so are we. They are physically strong, good shooters, and have solutions in the box. They are the top team in Italy for shots on target and concede the fewest. We need a proper game. In big games, attention to detail makes the difference."
Milan's different performance against opponents: good against top teams, weaker against others. Is it an approach issue?
"It’s hard to explain, some seasons you do well in big clashes and struggle against smaller teams. This year, for now, it’s like that. Against Cremonese we conceded very little, against Pisa we lacked the strength to finish it. In Parma, one episode changed the game, and at the start of the second half we risked conceding three side fouls: these are things to improve. The past can’t be changed, the points we have are the points we earned. Tomorrow is a match that gives emotions, the players should be happy to play. It will be a good day of sport."
Inter wants to erase last year’s five derbies and are highly determined… When there’s a storm, Milan can panic, do you think the players learned the Parma lesson?
"In the first minutes against Roma, we made technical mistakes. In Parma, it’s true, but against Napoli with 10 we fought and stayed focused. We must improve situations during the full 95 minutes. Inter wants to win, that’s normal, we want it too. Inter has been fighting for the title for five years, they are the favorite," as relayed via Milan News.
Tomorrow, for the first time in Serie A, Leao and Pulisic start together:
"Tomorrow the unavailable players are Athekame with a soleus problem, and Gimenez for the ankle. The others are fine and have improved condition, which is good for tomorrow and the period until March."
Differences between Chivu and Inzaghi:
"In characteristics, they are more or less similar, the backbone is about the same. Chivu is doing excellent work, for his first experience in a big team he is doing well. You notice the team is compact. The difference with Inzaghi is small, the players are mostly the same."
Is the key to the derby in individual duels?
"When you win individual duels, your chances increase. In Parma we won few in the second half and drew. Tomorrow, tactically, technically, and physically, it will be a high-level match, we must be ready to take a step forward in the table and extend the run of results after the loss against Cremonese."
What did you tell the players this week? What worries you about Inter?
"Today we will do the last training. Actually, tomorrow morning. We will fix the last things and hope to do it well. Inter has important long-range shooters. Close to the box, they are physical: I heard Dumfries is missing, but he is an important solution for them. In counterattacks, they are very good with technique and speed. We need a great match to create conditions for a good result, football is unpredictable, but we must be ready."
About Santiago Gimenez: beyond statistics, how important is he?
"Very important, a key player, scored many goals before Milan. Not easy to join mid-season in January, three months… He doesn’t know the language, must adapt to a different football environment. He returned on August 5 after internationals, performed well. Now he has an ankle problem, but in football things change quickly."
About Lautaro:
"One of the strongest forwards in Europe, not just Italy. Mature enough to decide games. He, Thuram, Bonny, Esposito: a strong team."
Have you decided between Bartesaghi and Estupinan? Does Dumfries’ absence affect the choice?
"It doesn’t affect. I will decide today. Estupinan returned from Parma after 50 days without playing, Bartesaghi returned after two national team games of 90 minutes, trained well yesterday. The match is long, I may need both."
What would winning the derby mean?
"Having a good week. Winning changes your mood. I always tell the players: let’s get the result to feel good the following days."
About the Curva:
"It helped a lot. When we play at home again, the stadium supports us in difficult moments."
Did Ibrahimovic say anything to the team? Allegri commented:
"He came yesterday, we spoke briefly. Sometimes he comes, Tare also comes: the club is always present. We need proper tension tomorrow, but without fear. Plenty of adrenaline, emotion, and fun playing these matches."
Do you ask Leao to do an Ibrahimovic?
"Gradually he understands that a forward is judged by goals, it’s a sign of growth."
About Thiago Silva:
"I spent two wonderful years with Thiago, an extraordinary player. He still plays at a good level. The market is for the club, we focus on matches one at a time, can’t handle more than one at once. I didn’t call Thiago, he is still a player, not a coach."
Rabiot’s importance for Fofana:
"Fofana played well. Huge potential in both phases. Must be more attentive in certain situations. Rabiot, so far, is much better than when I had him. At peak maturation, a very influential player on the pitch."
Tomorrow’s duel of defenders, Pavlovic and Bastoni?
"Pavlovic is improving a lot: more games, more growth. He has the instinct to press, very aggressive. Must improve focus in the box, still slightly absent in some situations."
Importance of set-pieces. Milan has one goal from free-kicks, zero from corners. How do you explain it?
"We took 71, didn’t score, maybe tomorrow we take two and score. Football is like this."
How is the team arriving at the derby?
"We arrive in good conditions if we get a result, if not, we could have done better. Ready to play tomorrow’s match."
Guardiola said a striker is about space. Not about transfers, but your philosophy: how do you adapt Pulisic and Leao?
"I’ve had teams without a striker. Ibra and Robinho barely played as strikers, Boateng did. Football is wonderful, the top scorer is Calhanoglu. Pulisic has 4 goals because he missed a penalty. Milan forwards: 4 goals Pulisic, 4 goals Leao."
We read about Baresi returning to Casa Milan, do you expect him at Milanello?
"This news goes beyond a football match. I’m happy he is better. I expect him at Milanello, he must be a reference for Milan players and the whole environment."
