The challenge (somewhat forced, to be honest) between Cesc Fabregas and Massimiliano Allegri adds a new chapter to a rivalry between styles of play. After the 3-1 victory that Milan secured at Como on January 15, the Spanish coach’s statements sparked an unexpected controversy.
Fabregas, clearly still stung, commented on the result at the Sinigaglia that evening: "Does it bother me? If that doesn’t bother you, it’s better not to play. Of course it bothers me, but today my responsibility is also to stay very clear-headed and send the right message. This is the typical moment when you come here annoyed, and it’s easy to use words I might retract tomorrow. I’m proud of the boys. Today is tough. There are very few things I can criticize. I think if we played this match again in the same way, we would win. People who care only about results will be happy today. People who love football know that eight times out of ten, you win. For me, how you lose also matters."
On the other side, Milan’s coach, Allegri, responded with his usual calm:
"Result-focused or play-focused? Against Como, it was a good match played by two teams that approached it differently." There's no direct message.
Perhaps the Spaniard could not accept such a defeat, but in the meantime, his Como has shown itself to be a top-class team in every respect. In these weeks apart, the Lariani have stayed in the European picture with attractive football, and Fabregas is preparing to face the Rossoneri in his own way… offensively.
At least now he knows respect is required: "Always behind against Milan, but then we always lost? You have to adapt, it will keep happening. We don’t go along with the superficial thinking that one match resembles last year’s. For what we are doing at Como, I would like something different," as relayed via those at Milan Press.
In this new chapter of an unexpected rivalry over time, the Como coach has realized one thing. First silence, then let the field speak. And if it ends badly for the visitors? Well, that’s a good question. As long as dignity is maintained in responses and no one points fingers unnecessarily at the winner.
