During today’s press conference ahead of Saturday's Serie A match against Lazio, the AC Milan head coach said:
On Lazio after the derby:
“It is normal for the Milan derby to matter, it gives you strong adrenaline. You must stay focused on the final target, finishing in the top four. Seven teams are within seven points right now, with Lazio climbing back. They were underestimated, Sarri is doing strong work. They made no signings and dealt with injuries. Saturday will be a tough match for us because they are well organized, they look like they leave space but they leave little. They have the chance to get back into the Champions League race. The derby win was wonderful, but enough. Today is Thursday, Saturday brings another important match with three points that would move us a step toward our target.”
On Lazio:
“Every match should be approached as if you were facing a top team. Lazio have won many trophies over the past ten years, they played the Champions League, they have quality and are well coached.”
Medical update?
“Pulisic is unlikely to play, but anything can happen tomorrow and the day after. Saelemaekers is fine, Gimenez should begin to rejoin the group little by little next week. Everyone else is fine.”
On Rafael Leao and goals, Allegri said:
“He is at four for now if I am not mistaken. I am not transforming Leao, he has the traits to play as a striker. He knows how to shield the ball and how to head the ball. He must get used to attacking the box more when the ball is wide and leaving the box less. He is changing, he is more involved in play and he helps the team with the hard work. You see great players in this, when they put their strengths at the service of the team.”
On Christopher Nkunku:
“He arrived in the last days of August, then went twice with his national team which is progress because he had lost his place there. I did not expect more, I expect him to reach his full level in the future. He comes from a different league, he needed training. I trust him like I trust everyone. Jashari is also back with the squad, Odogu played with the U23 yesterday to get minutes. The key is to have everyone available, the training level rises.”
On Mike Maignan:
“Mike has always been among the strongest goalkeepers. His output does not surprise me. The club deals with the contract, they are working to give the squad future and stability. I speak with Mike, but we speak about the pitch. Filippi, his coach, speaks with him too. I am pleased, he looks calm and he is confirming his qualities.”
You asked Rabiot three times a day when he was returning. What do you ask Pulisic?
“Interpreting Pulisic is tough, he is like a crossword. You ask him one thing… But he is a great guy. With Rabiot it was different, the soleus is dangerous. It turned out well.”
On Ardon Jashari:
“In terms of traits he can play in front of the defense or as one of the two midfielders depending on the shape. He has strong character and desire, Milan made a good signing. Then he got injured. Now he has recovered but lacks minutes. And he had already stopped before the injury, he has gone three and a half months without a match. It is about match rhythm and coordination on the ball.”
On Ricci and the Fofana-Modric-Rabiot midfield:
“They have played more lately, but Ricci has played a lot too. He is important, whenever you call him, from the start or off the bench, he is ready. He adds value and everyone must be like this. Others have played less like Loftus and Nkunku, but the important thing is for everyone to keep the target in front of them and be available for the final target. It is not easy, this year many teams sit within 6–7 points after 12 matches. If the derby had gone poorly we would have been five points back, not many, but our outlook would be different. This is why balance is needed.”
On Alexis Saelemaekers:
“He grew in terms of performance. Sunday he played his best match this year, strong both technically and tactically. Against Napoli after scoring he created some chaos. He must find balance because he has room to grow and he is generous.”
Milan are the team in Serie A that make the fewest substitutions. What does this mean?
“The squad is not short. We missed Rabiot, Pulisic and Estupinan in the last month. Sometimes changes help, sometimes they do not or you make them simply to make them, which is not good. Changes must be made when needed, sometimes a match does not need them.”
On technical clean play when building out:
“We work daily to improve technical and tactical situations. Against Inter we had moments when we needed a better final pass and better delivery. We are working to improve. Sometimes it is emotional," as relayed via Milan News.
More on changes. Do you need something in January to reach your targets?
“Five players returned from national teams dead tired last month, I could not play them. The squad size is right. The club is planning for Milan’s future. January is a unique market. Adding players who are not needed… We have players growing who can give more in the second half of the season.”
On Loftus-Cheek:
“He can play as a second striker, winger or midfielder. He has huge potential. He is serious and professional. I am pleased, he is reliable and important.”
Allegri on Maignan and how the goalkeepers in the derby played a role in the final score:
“Goalkeepers cannot be swapped, one is registered with Milan and one with Inter. Maignan’s first save on Thuram was easy, then people amplify everything. We had great respect for Inter, they are the strongest side with Napoli. Both teams had favorable spells. We are working to improve situations, which is normal. On the pitch you must understand that you must never lower the bar, something we did against Cremonese, Pisa and Parma. Without the ball we must defend as a team. When I see Leao running hard to help, I see we are on a good path. That does not mean everything is solved. We are at matchday twelve which means 51 points remain to reach the Champions League. And it also means the title threshold could be lower if the Champions League threshold is higher.”
Where can Bartesaghi improve?
“In gaining experience in matches. He has strong qualities so he will only improve.”
On lineup choices:
“I do not know yet. Thursday leaves me unprepared, first time in twenty years I do a conference two days early. Two training sessions remain, some patience.”
Some adjectives for your Milan:
“A team that wants a result and knows that with the ball it must try to score. We had many clear chances against Inter, the cross quality needed improvement. But one thing we must not lose is that without the ball there is no shame in defending. Defenders must enjoy defending and not being beaten. They must enjoy duels and the group is growing in this.”
