The AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri spoke to the media today ahead of tomorrow's derby.
Here's what he said:
“The derby is always a special match, unique and exciting to play and experience. It will certainly be a great evening of sport, with first place facing second place. The three points matter in a derby just as they will next Sunday. It will not be easy to take points tomorrow. We are facing a strong team that has won many matches, with only one draw and four losses. We will try to get a result, because that is the only thing that really matters.”
Are the fans allowed to dream? How is the team doing?
“Tomorrow night the only thing to do is play the match and experience it, then we will see how it ends. After the game we will see whether we stayed ten points behind, closed the gap to seven, or fell to thirteen. Regardless of tomorrow, we must be clear about our objective: 57 points are not enough for Champions League qualification. The teams behind us are collecting points, and we have a difficult schedule ahead: Inter, Juve, Napoli, Lazio and Atalanta. We still need several wins. Everyone is doing well except Loftus and Gabbia, and Gimenez, who is not yet back with the squad but will return soon. Bartesaghi trained yesterday, and tomorrow I will decide whether he or Estupiñán will play. Estupiñán is in very good shape, like the rest of the team.”
The dangers of tomorrow’s match?
“Inter can score in many ways. They have good long range shooters, they attack crosses well, and they are very physical in the box. It also depends on who plays tomorrow, for example if Dumfries plays. They have many ways to score. But we also have important quality and the ability to play a strong match and score against Inter.”
A quick question: after the match in Cremona, Leão said he would stay at home. Is that true?
“If he stayed home every night he made a mistake, because he should have gone out. Just because there is a derby does not mean he has to stay at home all the time.”
Your future at Milan?
“I am tied to Milan until 2027 with a contract. The future is tomorrow, then next Sunday. I feel good at Milan and I am very happy here. We started a project in July and the club is working for the future. But until we reach our objective we must stay focused on the present. We have not achieved anything yet. Milan must return to the Champions League.”
Leão’s comments and what you expect from Inter?
“As for Rafa’s statements, he was speaking purely in football terms. They should be accepted. Too much weight is given to words that are then interpreted in many ways. As for Inter, they have been competing for the top two places in the league for about six years. Right now they are the best team in the league. They have players with great experience, both technically and physically. They also have Esposito, a very talented young player. At the moment they are the strongest team in the championship.”
Do you want to make an appeal regarding the Bastoni situation?
“I do not like making appeals. I can only say that Milan fans must help and support us as they have done since the first day we played at San Siro, in the Coppa Italia match against Bari. They have done it at home and very well away too. The only thing they need to do is support Milan.”
Do you expect Inter to sit deeper and leave possession to Milan?
“I do not know what kind of match they prepared. We prepared ours knowing it will be a good and balanced game. We must pay attention to the details. In the last thirty meters they are truly dangerous.”
Maybe it is just my impression, but the ten day break between Bologna and Pisa seemed to deflate the team rather than recharge it?
“We will see tomorrow night and in the next ten matches whether we have recovered our best condition. Pulisic and Leão are improving physically. Estupiñán is improving mentally as well. Motivation makes the difference, not physical condition. The team with greater motivation reaches results. Füllkrug spent a month with a broken finger, poor guy. He still made himself available despite the pain and he is improving. Rabiot’s suspension interrupted his rhythm and he is now finding his form again. Jashari is improving as well. Tomorrow we play and we hope to deliver a strong performance.”
Do you believe the title race could reopen?
“In football you never know what might happen. First we play tomorrow, then we will see. For the Champions League we still need five wins. If we get one tomorrow, that means one less to go. We must work match by match and aim for results, because that is what matters most.”
What message does Cardinale’s constant presence send?
“We are very pleased. In the last month he has come twice, and tomorrow he will be at the stadium. He represents the ownership, and they are very interested in building an important Milan. It is right that the ownership stays close to the team as they are doing, and we are all happy about it.”
Does Inter change without Lautaro? Allegri answered:
“Lautaro is a great player. Inter have a strong group of attackers, just like we do. Regardless of who plays tomorrow, you need technique, heart and passion to play a match of this importance.”
Tomorrow you have limited options in defense...
“Together with the club we made some evaluations. There were no defenders available who could improve a department I am already very satisfied with. Gabbia should be back within a month. Odogu is improving a lot, and if needed he will step onto the field without any problem.”
Do you know André from Corinthians? How do you reach a derby with all these headlines?
“All the reports and speculation have actually helped us because they kept us from putting too much energy into the derby. We hope to arrive with a clear mind and play a good match against a strong team. When the referee blows the whistle tomorrow, we must run. André? Right now talking about the transfer market makes little sense. Everyone must stay focused on the Champions League objective. It is right that the club plans for the future, but at this moment we cannot waste energy on other matters.”
Is this the first year of a project aimed at being competitive next year, or does the three year rule apply? Two titles in twenty years seem few...
“When you coach Milan you cannot begin without the ambition to finish at the top of the league. But only one team wins. Football is full of variables and unexpected situations. One year you may start well and perform poorly, another year you may start badly and do well. The only method I know is to work calmly, give organization to everyone, and respect the club’s DNA. After giving your best, you continue to work and improve. I had the fortune to return to Milan and I found a squad with excellent players. There are also different seasons. I found a group of players and people at Milanello who work with great passion and love for this club. We are in a position with not only technical values but also moral values, and those are what truly make the difference.”
Will Inter have more motivation tomorrow?
“We have great responsibility because we must reach an objective. Napoli are only one point behind. Tomorrow we play against the team in first place while we are currently second. No matter what happens tomorrow, we will remain second. We must play a great match with enthusiasm.”
Rabiot, Modrić and Fofana against Milan’s midfield. Will the match be decided there?
“I do not know how tomorrow’s match will be won. Football matches are full of unexpected moments. We have a very strong midfield with those three players, but also with Ricci, who has improved a lot. Jashari is also a player who unfortunately had an injury this year, but I believe a season like this can only help his future at Milan.”
Allegri, what effect do all these criticisms have on you?
“Criticism is part of the job. With social media everyone talks, which is fair. There are positive criticisms that I take in a constructive way because they make me reflect. I listen to everyone because there is always something to learn from others. Criticism must be accepted. Everything in football is debatable because it is not an exact science. There are many nuances, and that is what makes it beautiful. You should not take it too personally. What matters for players and coaches are the objectives to reach. We work toward those while also accepting outside criticism.”
How is Christian Pulisic doing? He has not scored in two months...
“Pulisic is doing much better and will be very important for the final part of the season. Nkunku is well, Füllkrug is well. The four attacking players are improving their form. The team is in good shape. What matters is keeping the right rhythm for tomorrow’s match.”
Inter’s strength from set pieces?
"Inter have excellent set piece takers and good aerial players. Without good deliveries, aerial players are useless. They are strong on set pieces, strong on crosses, and strong with long range shots. They are a very strong team. But we are also doing well. We must play at a very high level with the belief that we can achieve a great result, even though we are facing an important opponent."
