Massimiliano Allegri, the AC Milan coach, spoke to the media in the usual press conference ahead of tomorrow's match versus Torino.
"We need to be ready to play a solid game. Tomorrow we face a team… There are some numbers we’ll try to reverse. In the last 12 years, six draws, five losses, and only one win. In the last three years, Milan has lost three times. We must approach it with humility. Torino is a very physical team. Playing at their home now is very difficult, they come off a series of negative results. We must play a very concrete game. We’ve reached a point in the season where, from now to the end of January, the standings will take shape."
Medical update?
"We hope to have Gimenez back as soon as possible, he is an important player and we need him both technically and numerically. Pulisic had a fever last night; we’ll see if he’s available. Athekame is completing recovery. We hope to have Fofana back against Sassuolo. Between tomorrow and Sassuolo, it will be a very important week. We must be mentally ready and play with humility, knowing that taking points in these two games is crucial before the Super Cup."
On the standings:
"I don’t know, it depends on the winning streaks you can achieve. Inter and Napoli are the best equipped to win the league. Many teams are close at the top, and many are close at the bottom. It’s unusual. We need the strength to stay in the mix."
How did the team react to the loss? What about Fabregas’ words after yesterday’s defeat, saying he prefers losing to everyone sitting back?
"I didn’t hear what Fabregas said, he’s doing important work at Como. For us, following up results is key. Thursday against Lazio we were, paradoxically, even more 'beautiful,' but we lacked the ruthlessness to get the result. It must be seen as an opportunity to improve. When the team plays with respect and aggression, it rarely concedes from set pieces."
Are the midfielders’ goals missing?
"We started well with Loftus in Lecce on a set piece, then we stalled. They’ll come, they have it in their characteristics. We need to improve set pieces; we score few goals there. Against Lazio, we were exposed in the league and conceded Thursday. We must improve. Defensive phases are important as a team. Thursday, the team defended very well in one of its best performances. There was a positive note Thursday, but it’s not enough. We need to improve both phases and focus on the objective, which is the result."
Is Adrien Rabiot missing goals?
"Adrien is improving his condition. His goals will come, like Loftus’. Loftus had two chances Thursday: he must be more confident in his qualities. We expect a lot from him."
Satisfied or is something missing?
"I’m not fully satisfied; none of us should be. We must work to improve. The right things remain, the wrong ones need fixing. Every day we must aim to improve. Nothing is impossible, everything is possible. We must give our maximum to achieve what seems impossible. Working for a 10 means working at full potential. But you must be convinced. Without conviction, you do your best, not your maximum. I repeat often: there is no maintenance, only improvement or deterioration. This is an important moment; we must save mental energy. Matches are decided by feet and mind. Our will is fundamental. Our goal is clear: next year, Milan must be in the Champions, by any means."
Potential Fofana replacements:
"I’m happy for Jashari; he had a good return. I think it was his first time in that role; he usually plays in a two-man midfield or as a mezzala. He has room to improve. Ricci is intelligent and reliable, very important for a coach. A reliable player knows what he can give, whether starting or subbing. Ruben must still believe more in his qualities. He must be confident in what he does."
On Christopher Nkunku:
"Leaving aside the investment, the player has extraordinary technical qualities. He arrived later. Against Lazio at San Siro, he played well. He must also believe he can be decisive. His technical skills, from control to passing, are unquestionable. We need players confident in their actions to achieve team goals. I’m happy with Nkunku and convinced he can do well; maybe he scores tomorrow."
On Santiago Gimenez:
"Professor Ordine is always ironic (laughs). Santiago is working; hopefully we partially reintegrate him this week. His ankle is fine. We hope to have him; we need him. He’s reliable, worked hard for the team, had many chances, three goals canceled by centimeters, scored many at Feyenoord, he hasn’t lost his scoring ability. We await Gimenez and hope he can partially rejoin the team this week."
Allegri’s record with Torino:
"Positive numbers were with Juventus. This is not a derby for me. It’s a difficult match for everyone. It’s a game with a very important result: once we know that, things are easier."
Does this Milan have an ideal striker for your system?
"We’ve talked about it many times. Real strikers: with Juventus, Milan, and even Cagliari, I had only one, Higuain. Mandzukic moved a lot, played left wing. Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Cassano, Pato… Ibra was better at directing others; he played striker in old age. It’s a matter of characteristics; I try to put them in the best conditions. The important thing is scoring. Currently, of our four forwards, two have 10 goals. We need Nkunku, Gimenez, midfielders, and defenders scoring. At season’s end, to be at the top, you need goals scored and few conceded. No team wins or reaches top spots with a minimal goal difference; that’s math."
Integration of new players with fewer minutes:
"We started as a group, became a team, and can still improve. Some players struggle with less playing time, but mentally they must be in the game. In Rome, we rushed late; we should have managed the ball better. We focus on what’s ahead, the Torino match."
Controversy with Lazio and their goal from a non-existent corner:
"I smiled after the match; Saturday, a penalty decision took away a real corner from Lazio; Thursday we were eliminated by a non-corner. Football has oddities… but we laughed it off."
January striker?
"Still a month away; we have an important week with these two games."
Team compactness:
"On defense, I told the players it’s a team matter, not just defenders. To win, you must get dirty; clean play doesn’t bring results. When we don’t have the ball, we defend together, as the players are doing. We must keep working and improving. Each match has two challenges: focus on the final goal, step by step. Don’t get down after losses; we were upset after the Coppa Italia defeat, but tomorrow is a chance in the league."
Scudetto ambitions in coming matches:
"It’s not about five games; after those, 19 remain. We want 74-76 points for Champions, then I don’t know for the title. Ambition must be maximum, normal for Milan, but the goal must be clear. Next year, Milan must play in the Champions. There are strong, equipped teams. We must be a single block where nothing passes inside."
Fofana’s importance:
"Fofana is criticized for occasional technical errors, but he’s intense and was key in goals against Lazio and Napoli. He should aim for more goals and defensive presence. Tomorrow he won’t play, others will cover, but he’s useful."
Intensity difference between first and second halves:
"I’d like to dominate 95 minutes, not concede shots, but the opponent has moments. Then you must defend as a team; it’s a key match moment," as relayed via Milan News.
Only one offensive plan? Allegri commented:
"We can change characteristics. In situations like Lazio, if three chances come, you must score. With 5-6 chances, that’s the average; clean opportunities are rare. Against Roma and other matches, we had clean chances; that’s where improvement is needed."
