AC Milan's head coach, Massimiliano Allegri, commented on the Rossoneri's upcoming fixture against Napoli on Monday after the end of the international break
A Saturday filled with passion, chants, and colours from the fans, will you bring these scenes with you to Naples?
“Today was a lovely day. What matters is that Monday turns into a great evening. We really appreciated the fans’ presence: it gave us a big boost of confidence.”
How important is this match? How did Allegri experience the defeat against Bosnia?
“As for the national team, I’m disappointed about failing to qualify, but I believe this situation should be seen as an opportunity for growth. As for Monday’s match, it’s a fantastic game to play. It marks the start of the final stretch of the season, the most exciting and important phase, because we’re getting closer to our objective, which is returning to the Champions League. We still need a few more wins, but we’ll take it one step at a time.”
Why are we missing the World Cup for the third time?
“Making quick judgments or saying what should be done isn’t right. There are competent authorities who need to come together and examine everything, from youth development to the first team. You can’t reduce it all to ten minutes of discussion. They need to take the necessary time to build a plan and create unity of purpose and ideas to arrive in the best possible shape for the 2030 World Cup. Italy does have good players, and I believe the future is in good hands.”
On rumours linking him to the national team job:
“As far as the national team is concerned, I’ve started a project with Milan and we need to stay focused on our goal of returning to the Champions League. Again, it’s not about the manager, but about the governing bodies examining what needs to be done up to 2030.”
On the percentage of foreign players in Serie A:
“It’s difficult to answer because you’d need to analyse all the data and compare it with other European countries. Once they’ve assessed what improvements are needed within the football system, then we’ll see a brighter future than what we’re seeing now. There are many talented young players. Football has changed compared to 40 years ago, so if decisions are made calmly and not rushed, the solutions are there, you just have to find them.”
An update on Milan’s attack:
“We’ll have our final training session tomorrow afternoon and I’ll decide who to field in Naples. The forwards are all doing well. Leão is much better, Pulisic has returned in good shape. Giménez is eager, Füllkrug is improving, as is Loftus-Cheek, who is an important player. Everyone is in fairly good condition. Gabbia should also be back on Tuesday.”
Will Leão start in Naples?
“We’ll see tomorrow. Especially now, with changing temperatures and match intensity, you need players who are mentally sharp and technically strong.”
What impact could Italy’s failure to qualify have on Italian players in other teams?
“I don’t know, because we didn’t even have any Italian players apart from Bartesaghi. The uncertainty is that matches after an international break are always risky, and then there’s Easter. We start with a big match and hope to do well.”
Would you like to manage the national team in the future?
“I haven’t thought about it yet. I’m at Milan, I’m happy, and I hope to stay here for a long time. We started with the goal of returning to the Champions League, which is such a fascinating competition, one I need to get used to again because I haven’t taken part in it in recent years. I’d love to play in it with Milan. The national team discussion doesn’t depend on Allegri, what matters is that the football system finds solutions. Again, it’s not all to be thrown away. Even when things aren’t going well, there’s always something to build on.”
Does your future at Milan depend on you? Why do you say “if I were to stay”?
“Life is unpredictable, you never know what might happen…”
Is this round decisive for the title race?
“It could be, although there will still be seven matches left and 21 points available.”
How is Giménez?
“He’s recovered, and I’m very pleased. At the beginning he was struggling. Now in that role we have two players with very clear characteristics, him and Füllkrug.”
Is it time for a 4-3-3? Can Saelemaekers play as a full-back?
“It would need to be set up properly, so at the moment I think he performs much better as part of the front three. Up to now, what difference has the formation made? None.”
When will Milan focus only on the top and not on the teams behind?
“When mathematics guarantees we’re in the top four. Football is incredible: in 15 days you can undo seven months of work. We shouldn’t openly talk about wanting to win, because it doesn’t help. At a club like Milan you must have ambition, but there’s a difference between having it and achieving it. So we must keep an eye on the teams behind us, especially since qualifying for the Champions League is in our hands, just as the title is in Inter’s hands.”
Allegri, can the winner of Milan vs Napoli still hope for the title?
“That depends on Inter.”
At Napoli they talk about the ‘Fab 4’, what do you think? Allegri said:
“Napoli are a strong team. Considering the injuries they’ve had, still being in the fight shows they’ve done a very good job. The final result will determine whether it would have been better for those players to return or not, because results ultimately shape everyone’s judgments.”
