Peppe Di Stefano, speaking live on Sky, explained what Massimiliano Allegri told the team yesterday at Milanello after the heavy defeat against Udinese:
"Allegri downplayed any kind of issue. He didn’t speak with Rafael Leao or with any other player individually, he didn’t have one-on-one talks with anyone. He had originally given two consecutive days off, Sunday and Monday, but decided to split them, giving rest on Sunday and Wednesday instead. Today (yesterday, ed.) he wanted to see the team, so he met them in the dressing room. He arrived early in the morning at the Carnago training centre."
"When addressing the team, he didn’t raise his voice, but said they need to go back to doing what they were doing before. In Verona, Milan will return to a 3-5-2 system; there’s no doubt about that. He also told the players they need to get back to doing things with attention to the smallest details, the same focus they had up until 10 days ago. There’s no need to change anything, just to go back to doing what they know how to do."
"Allegri then showed the team videos of what went wrong in Saturday’s match against Udinese, without pointing the finger at anyone, not even at Leao. Also because, if I may add my opinion, I’m convinced that on Sunday in Verona the Portuguese player will start. If we listen again to Allegri’s words, it’s as if he defended not only Leao, but also the decision to play him as a centre-forward. For the Livorno-born coach, Leao was more convincing in that role than as a winger. If Milan return to the 3-5-2, I’m convinced we’ll see Christian Pulisic or Christopher Nkunku partnering Leao. So I wouldn’t say the issue is completely dismissed, but Allegri wanted to meet the team in typical Allegri fashion."
