The AC Milan head coach, Massimiliano Allegri, spoke to the media in a press conference ahead of tomorrow's Serie A matchday 26 against Parma.
Here's what the Italian tactician had to say:
How important is it to close the match against Como and move forward?
"Very important, because the further we go, the more crucial the matches become. There are 13 games left, so 39 points are available. We hope to take as many as possible. Talking about what happened before makes no sense, we focus on tomorrow's match, because Parma is doing well. They are a team that is very strong defensively, and also dangerous on set pieces. We will need to play a very organized and compact game."
Usual medical update and on Modric, the most used outfield player this season
"Regarding the medical update: everyone is fine. Even Pavlovic, who seemed at risk because we feared a fibula fracture. The others are all fine. Pulisic and Leao are better, especially Pulisic. We are happy, because having everyone available is important, as substitutions play a big role. Parma is a team that scores a lot in the last half-hour, so we need to play very well. Modric? We hope he continues like this until the end. He is an extraordinary player. There are no words to describe him, I get a little emotional when I talk about him. Champions like him teach everyone."
Is the post-Como tension due to incidents in that match or losing Inter’s rhythm? Allegri said:
"No, absolutely not. The league is still long, 13 matches remain. We have to do our duty, starting with beating Parma. I regret not being in the match tomorrow. I won’t comment further, so let’s move on. For us, these two matches are very important, just like the derby and the others, until we reach our goal. Inter is performing very strongly, and with 13 games left, averaging 2 points per match, they would surpass 90 points, around 88/90. So for us to reach 90, from the 54 points we have, we need 36 more points, which means 12 wins and one loss. If Inter slips and we fail to take advantage of their mistakes, that responsibility is ours. But Inter is clearly the favorite for the Scudetto."
Another complicated week for referees:
"They cannot use video review for certain situations, so we just move forward. If these situations are seen as opportunities, that’s important, but if they are ignored and we don’t take them as chances to grow, we stay the same. We must improve from mistakes. What happens should be seen as a growth opportunity, so we should not complain if we fall behind."
On Ardon Jashari:
"I am very happy with Jashari. Recently he has grown a lot, as have Odogu, De Winter, and Athekame. The club did well in the summer market, creating a mix of players like Modric, Rabiot, Maignan, who were already here, Tomori as well, combined with less experienced players. Above all, it shows that when you arrive at Milan, everything seems easy at first, but a period of adaptation is needed, and they are doing it in the best way."
If you could suggest an innovation to improve and grow, would you like on-demand VAR or another idea?
"It’s hard to say off the cuff what should be done. I have always said, and I repeat, that regarding objectivity, we must aim to avoid mistakes. Regarding subjectivity, there will always be decisions that satisfy one side and disappoint another. As for VAR and its use, many things can be improved, and they will do it in the best way."
How do you make a comeback for the title?
"There is only one thing you can do: we need a streak of wins while the others have a streak of draws."
Do you understand that you have to push your players forward?
"Apart from incidents that happen during the season, when tensions run a bit higher, I believe our bench must behave properly and respectfully so that referees can officiate well and make the right decisions. Then things happen, like what occurred on Wednesday, where even I got upset, and so these things happen too. But my instruction to everyone on the bench is to remain polite."
Are you thinking about any tactical solutions to face teams like Parma?
"We hope to win more home games from now until the end of the season. Then there are solutions, like substitutions… For a traditional striker, we have Fullkrug, so I can use him either earlier or later. In my opinion, Leao is doing well as a striker. The stats show he makes fewer plays, but he is more effective and useful for the team, even if he draws less attention aesthetically. Practically, he has scored 8 goals while playing little and under less-than-ideal conditions. The same goes for Pulisic. If these two stay fit until the end of the season, they will give us a big contribution."
About the midfielders
"Fofana? It’s a matter of timing in getting into the play. Our central midfielders are improving a lot. Rabiot already had it naturally, Fofana was used to playing in a two-man midfield. As for Ricci, the other game he didn’t play at his best because we were hit by some flu symptoms. The boy, and the boys, deserve thanks for the match they played."
Allegri, are you also dissatisfied with what happened with the refereeing on Wednesday?
"We can’t change what happened. I told the team to focus on what we need to do, which is winning matches, all together, to reach our goal. Club or political matters don’t concern us. At this point in the season there’s much more pressure for the four Champions League spots. So we just need to focus on working. Low profile? We shouldn’t waste nervous energy. The club and management have other things to deal with, but we need to think only about the field. Tomorrow is important anyway, with three points at stake. Let’s set a goal: we need to reach 60 points. Once we get there, we aim for the Champions League. We need micro goals that will allow us to reach macro goals."
Modric and Rabiot: do they need to be told anything? And conversely, is there anyone who needs motivation?
"It’s not that they should be left alone because they are great players. The higher the level, the faster the learning. Modric is 40, Rabiot has grown a lot, much stronger than when he was at Juventus. There are players with different characteristics and different learning abilities. But I still think players shouldn’t be constrained."
Why can Milan not yet be considered certain for the Champions League?
"Because there are still many matches left, we still have three direct confrontations: Napoli, Atalanta, Juventus, and Inter, so four. They’ve come in 13 matches. So we have to keep a low profile. Let’s take a small step tomorrow."
How can the pressure be managed?*
"By thinking about what needs to be done."
Strahinja Pavlovic: does he make you more angry or not?
"Pavlovic makes me angry about control. The rest, he’s a player who gives everything on the field. I like him a lot, both as a player and as a person."
At this point in the season, what would you like to say to the fans?
"To the fans, it has already been wonderful from the start, staying close to the players and the team, because together we can reach our goal."
