The AC Milan head coach, Massimiliano Allegri, speaks to the media in a press conference ahead of the Serie A match against Atalanta at the San Siro.
Here are his words:
We often talk about the fans: tomorrow evening more than ever will there be a need for their support?
"Up to now there is only gratitude towards them: since 17 August they have been close to us and the stadium has always been full. We have always felt their support and they will do so again tomorrow evening in a decisive moment of the season. We have a difficult match: we have had a good week of training and tomorrow we will face Atalanta, aiming to return to victory, which we have been without at home for some time."
Is there an explanation for the defeat in Reggio Emilia? How have these days gone?
"It is not as if in two days you can improve physical condition: at the moment it is the mental aspect that counts. We must not lose desire, conviction and above all enthusiasm. We need courage tomorrow, as in Genoa and as against Cagliari, without wasting energy on other things, but above all focusing on tomorrow evening’s match: Atalanta also has the objective of maintaining seventh place. We will have to be very good. Last Sunday was a very strange match: we had to avoid conceding a goal at the start of the second half and we conceded it too easily."
How much will mentality make the difference: have you seen a psychologist?
"In moments like these, instead of talking and saying things, there is only doing. We have had good training days. It is not as if Atalanta are out of form, they are an excellent team: we must deliver an excellent performance to bring home the result."
Are you worried? Allegri said:
"I am not worried: we must look at things in a positive way. It is normal that when you come off a defeat like the one against Sassuolo, you see things in a more negative way than they are. We have our destiny in our own hands: football is beautiful because in 90 minutes everything can and must change. That said, tomorrow, whatever happens, we will neither be in the Champions League nor mathematically out of the Champions League."
What explanation is there for the attack not scoring? How do you switch it back on?
“What has been done over these 10 months cannot be changed. Tomorrow a mini-league of three matches begins; it must be seen in this way: we have a 3-point advantage. If we get results, we will go to the Champions League; otherwise we will not have deserved to qualify for the Champions League. Tomorrow morning I will assess the line-up, but at this moment I need everyone available, apart from Modrić and Tomori, everyone is at my disposal.”
Is there an explanation for the defeat in Reggio Emilia? How have these days gone?
“It’s not as if in two days you can improve physical condition: at this moment the mental aspect is what matters. We must not lose desire, belief and above all enthusiasm. We need courage tomorrow, as we did in Genoa and against Cagliari, without wasting energy on other things but focusing above all on tomorrow evening’s match: Atalanta also has the aim of maintaining seventh place. We will have to be very good. Last Sunday was a very strange match: we had to avoid conceding the goal at the start of the second half and we conceded it far too easily.”
How much will mentality make the difference: have you acted as a psychologist?
“In these moments, instead of talking and saying things, there is only one thing to do. We have had good training days. It’s not as if Atalanta are exhausted, they are an excellent team: we need to put in an excellent performance to get a result.”
Are you worried?
“I am not worried: we must look at things positively. It is normal that when you come from a defeat like the one against Sassuolo, you see things more negatively than they are. Our destiny is in our hands: football is beautiful because in 90 minutes everything can and must change. That said, tomorrow, whatever happens, we will not be either in the Champions League or mathematically out of it.”
What explanation is there for the attack not scoring? How do you switch it back on?
“What has been done in these ten months cannot be changed. Tomorrow a mini-league of three matches begins; it must be seen in this way: we have a three-point advantage. If we get results, we will go into the Champions League; otherwise, we will not have deserved to go. Tomorrow morning I will assess the starting line-up, but at this moment I need everyone available; apart from Modrić and Tomori, everyone is available.”
Do you want to field players with more motivation after Sassuolo?
“Today is the last training session and tomorrow there will be a set-piece session: I will decide tomorrow. Matches are long and the last half hour is decided by substitutions. Everyone, without exception, must be involved in the game: we are in a decisive and important moment.”
What atmosphere have you felt outside Milanello?
“Inside Milanello we have worked well as we have all year. Then there are moments when things go better or worse: in the second half of the season results have been lacking, it is up to us to reverse the trend. Only we can do it.”
From a tactical point of view: is Giménez more compatible with Pulisic, Leão or Nkunku?
“If Giménez plays, there will be one or two players around him.”
Allegri, have you found an explanation for this level of performance? Is tomorrow decisive?
“Tomorrow is decisive because we are at the end and three matches remain. I said it before: spending energy at this moment trying to find explanations makes no sense. Assessments will be made in 15 days’ time: all energy must be focused on tomorrow’s match. Then tomorrow we will see the standings and we will have to go to Genoa to play a difficult and messy match.”
What role does Modrić have? Will he return for the last match?
“Even if Modrić comes to Milanello to train, it is almost impossible for him to play in the final matchday.”
Could you play with a front three tomorrow? Has motivation dropped since the Scudetto became unlikely?
“One would have to get inside each individual’s head. We have a huge responsibility to take Milan into the Champions League: we must do everything possible for it to happen. The group that started in July will certainly be part of next season: we all must have desire, belief and responsibility that this result arrives. A front three? We will see.”
There will be protests tomorrow, and a petition against Furlani: what are the difficulties in creating a more united environment?
“At management level and with the club, beyond the discussions where everyone rightly has their say and not everyone can agree, we all have the objective of reaching the Champions League. Tomorrow we need the fans, because together we must try to achieve this objective, which is difficult to reach, as I said some time ago. We are here and we must focus all energy on tomorrow.”
Allegri, you experienced the last Milan under Berlusconi and Juventus under Agnelli: do you think this club has a winning mentality?
“I have never been on my own. When we have held meetings and discussions, there has always been dialogue: we have tried to ensure that the team could achieve results and be sustainable. Many players have been changed, it was not easy: even players who have performed a bit less come from foreign leagues. I believe a good foundation has been created: whether it could have been done better or worse, I don’t know. What is important is that Milan can play in the Champions League next year.”
You are the only guarantor for the fans. When you speak about unity within the club, are you telling the fans the truth?
“This year we have worked well. In the last period, results have been lacking. The fans must help us because together we must make sure that Milan plays in the Champions League. Then, when there are discussions, there are things we agree on. The important thing is that everyone works for the Milan club: I have been taught and I have learned that many people have passed through Milan, but what remains is always the club. Those who are inside Milan must work for the club, which has a history to defend and a glorious DNA. I have seen this in the executives, but it is not easy to achieve results. This year, if we manage to finish in the top four, and I understand that Milan must always have the ambition to win, it means we have done a good job and there is a good foundation to improve next year. If Milan finishes sixth, it means we have earned sixth place. The important thing is that we all must work for the club. Personal objectives must be set aside; the collective one is that Milan must return to playing in the Champions League.”
Is Allegri a coach who is on the training ground every day? Or could he become national team coach if a call came?
“This is a problem I have not considered, also because when issues arise I deal with them. At the moment, the most important thing here is Milan: in the upcoming matches and next year. We have worked for 10 months with great focus and dedication: we must respect all the people who make themselves available to help us perform at our best. I have not thought about anything else because my aim is to stay at Milan for as long as possible.”
