Manager Massimiliano Allegri spoke to DAZN at the end of Milan–Hellas Verona, which finished 3–0. Here is everything the Rossoneri coach said after the win at San Siro.
Three important points and a clean sheet. But after going 3–0 up you still asked a lot from the team.
"There are moments in a match that need to be handled differently. You have to keep the ball, and you do not do that by standing still, but by moving. When we kept the ball without movement, we ended up playing some difficult, long balls under pressure and lost them. On this, we can definitely improve."
On Nkunku, finally on the scoresheet:
“It is normal. He is a very sensitive lad and he really wanted to do well. Today, after the penalty, he got unblocked. He scored a goal that is in his DNA, attacking Modric’s shot. I think he can still improve, like everyone. In the first half we were a little tense, but organized. We did not even concede a corner kick. In the second half we did better, and at the end of the first half we broke the deadlock from a corner. At 3–0 we could and should have managed the ball better.”
What did you like most today? The goal from a set piece, the clean sheet, or 15 consecutive positive results? Allegri commented:
“The further you go, the more difficult it becomes. In five days we have a complicated match like the one in Cagliari, because playing in Cagliari is always difficult. They are scrappy games, and yesterday they got a good win. We have to prepare properly. Today, in any case, some players got a bit more playing time in the final phase of the match. We need everyone, because there is an important month and a half ahead, from now until February 15.”
Is 83 points the title mark, or is more needed?
“At the moment the target is between 82 and 84, it could become 86. Then, if a team goes on a big winning run, I do not know. But right now the mark sits around 84. For us, winning today was important because we had drawn with Sassuolo and lost to Napoli. It was important because Verona are a tough team, and above all because we finally beat a smaller side at home. That was very important. We take it one step at a time. We need to get all the players back, we need Leao at 100 percent, Pulisic is not yet at 100 percent, Nkunku is growing, Fofana is coming back from injury. I am very happy. We have to keep working calmly with a clear objective, to return to the Champions League next year. As Capello said, it is a very difficult objective.”
Will you go to dinner with Andrea Agnelli tonight?
"I was very pleased that the president came to watch the match. Beyond the professional side, we have a relationship that goes beyond that on a human level. More than tonight, we are going now, in fact I want to run off, because the restaurant is waiting for us for lunch."
