AC Milan's head coach, Massimiliano Allegri, spoke to the media in a press conference ahead of the match against Genoa.
On Modric and Maignan:
"Regarding Mike, the club is working on Milan’s future. There are many excellent players, and the club is working to secure an important future. It’s also important that we finish in the top 4. Modric is not a technical surprise, but his passion for his work, and especially the humility he shows on the field, is remarkable. It makes me smile that when he makes a bad pass, he gets mad at himself and apologizes. He sets a great example for younger players. It’s not so much the technical skills, Mother Nature gave him those, good for him, but the passion and love for the sport that today’s players must have. That’s what makes the difference. Right now it’s difficult; there are too many distractions. It’s important to have players focused on work and the club’s goals."
Is Juventus also in the Scudetto race?
"Juventus has finished the first half of the season. I think the Scudetto target is around 86–88 points, depending on how the first half closes. To reach 86 or 88 points, a team with 36 now must get 50 in the second half. But Juventus is strong and can do it. With Spalletti, they’ve reversed their results and performances. We have to focus on ourselves and our goal: being in the top 4 or close by March. Yesterday’s results show it’s complicated. We must stay grounded, balanced, and approach each match seriously, like the last two. Matches start 0-0; being Milan gives no advantage."
Comparison with old Milan teams:
"When people talk about old teams, they tend to say they were stronger… No! The comparison is with today’s players. Milan is a strong team with very important moral values: everyone has a clear objective, which is to achieve the maximum of their potential."
On Rafael Leao:
"Leao must focus on scoring goals; forwards are judged on that. He scored at Cagliari even though he wasn’t at his best. This minor discomfort he carries is normal. He can only improve, especially since he missed many matches in the first half of the season due to calf and adductor injuries. The same goes for Nkunku, who won’t be available tomorrow. Hopefully, he’ll be ready for Florence; the ankle knock is bothering him."
Expectations for the transfer market, Allegri commented:
"I don’t expect anything from the market. I have a club that takes care of Milan’s future. Tare and Furlani are working, and I’m very calm."
On Niclas Fullkrug:
"He is improving his condition. At Cagliari, he came on and showed he’s ready to contribute and has qualities we don’t have. He made a good impression. Hopefully, he’ll have a chance to score; we need goals."
Tomorrow, finally, Leao and Pulisic together… What can we expect from them? What do they give you?
"We’ll see. They’ve played together for 20 minutes. If all goes well today and tomorrow morning, they should start. They’re not at full fitness yet. Pulisic has a recurring flexor issue; Leao has an adductor problem. But everyone must play well as a team. These months are important to reach March calmly and in the best condition."
Some say it’s a fault that Milan scores on the first shot… and that Milan won’t last with this style… Allegri replied:
"We work every day to improve the quality of play and passing speed. We also try to improve defensively. We want to improve in both phases: with and without the ball. About scoring on the first shot… I told the players that, as I get older, I’d like them to make me suffer a little less (laughs). Jokes aside, it’s an important quality of these players. They know every ball, even if it’s the only one, must be used. When you play to win at Milan, one ball doesn’t decide a match, it can decide a season. The intensity of the game is completely different from mid-table football. That’s why the players need mental growth. I don’t see it as shameful; it’s a quality."
How important is Rabiot for mentality?
"I think it’s a life principle. Older players aren’t necessarily better technically. An older engineer isn’t necessarily more prepared than a younger one. In football, it’s about matches played, experience. Milan has players with fewer matches but excellent quality who can become important for the club’s future."
Are there too many prejudices about Allegri’s style?
"I don’t know. When I started, I tried to learn and copy the best, those who won. I understood that there’s no single way to win in football, otherwise everyone would use it. Players have different qualities; you need to put them in a simple environment to perform well. There are many factors… How do you coach? I don’t know, it’s inexplicable. It’s simpler than it seems. Coaches are different too. What matters in life is the result; how you get there… there are many ways, no single method. This applies in tennis and all sports. There’s no single method."
Little time to recover between Genoa and Fiorentina:
“When matches come close together, you have to make changes, but for now we are thinking about tomorrow. This year, if we had had back-to-back matches in the Champions League, it would have been better. One important thing, in my opinion, is moving the evening kickoff from 8:45 pm to 8:00 pm. If you play at 8, by 11 you’re already in bed. I think that could be very smart.”
The challenge with De Rossi:
“I crossed paths with Daniele on the pitch only a few times. He was part of the group of very talented players. He has all the qualities to become a high-level coach. He needs a period of growth, as is normal. He is already very advanced compared to his coaching experience. I am very close to his father; we played together at Livorno in 1985. Daniele was born in 1983, he had just been born then.”
On Loftus-Cheek:
“I am very happy with what Ruben is doing. Fingers crossed, he is doing very well. Yesterday he did individual training, but tomorrow he will be available. He needs to switch and be more decisive in the goal area. He has great potential and must also make a bigger impact with headers in the box. But I am very happy.”
What is the true strength of this Milan?
“Criticism is always good; it motivates if done correctly. Nobody holds the absolute truth, certainly not me. The strength of this group is that they come to training every day eager to improve. We conceded 10 goals against Pisa, Cremonese, Sassuolo, Torino, and Parma. There was a period when our focus dropped; we hope tomorrow to maintain consistency.”
There are teams that never draw…
“By the numbers, it seems unusual, but by the end of the season, the numbers balance out. I don’t think a team can finish without any draws, but it can happen. I believe the Serie A title could end up at 86-88 points. But it also depends on the results of head-to-head matches," as relayed via Milan News.
Dan Peterson says a good coach must make players ‘hate’ him but also love him. What do you think of that?
“I completely agree with him, I send him my best wishes. I had the pleasure of seeing him again when he came to Milanello. At 90, he is incredibly sharp. There is always something to learn from the simplicity with which he expresses himself. When he coached, he was always available to the players and always close to them. It was great talking with him.”
Chivu, Conte, Allegri: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Who is who?
(Laughs) “I don’t know. I can only say that right now I am on the side of the one watching the duel.”
