Allegri: Leao back for Napoli, must win at San Siro vs Bologna | OneFootball

On the eve of Milan-Bologna, Massimiliano Allegri presented the challenge in a press conference, marking the return of the Rossoneri to San Siro after the break. The coach spoke about objectives, the growth of the group, and the condition of the injured players, with particular attention to Rafael Leao's situation.

Milan-Bologna, Allegri warns: “Leao will return with Napoli. Now we need to win at San Siro”

The coach immediately clarified the condition of the Portuguese forward: “Leao has a soleus problem, he won't be available tomorrow and probably not even in Udine. We expect to see him again against Napoli: that's the timeline.”

Alongside him, other good news from the infirmary: “Estupinian is fine, Pulisic has no problems with his hand. For Jashari, a little more patience is needed.”

The challenges for Milan: scoring efficiency and defensive solidity

When asked about areas for improvement, Allegri was clear: “There is still a lot of work to do. In Lecce, we didn't concede goals, but we allowed avoidable situations. We are growing as a team defensively, but paradoxically, we risked more in Lecce than against Cremonese. Up front, we need more efficiency: we must convert more chances into goals to gain confidence and certainty.”

Ricci, De Winter, and the new signings

On individuals, the coach praised Samuele Ricci: “He has grown a lot, even physically. He has a stronger leg and is very tactically skilled. He is undergoing a complete technical and physical development.”

On De Winter: “I am pleased with his arrival. But the defensive problem is collective: the whole team must have the correct attitudes without the ball. The individuals are growing, but a common effort is needed.”

Regarding Nkunku, Allegri urged patience: “He needs to find optimal condition, but his work ethic is excellent. We will see if he plays with Leao when they are both at 100%.”

Goals and responsibility: not just Leao and Gimenez

There has long been talk about the lack of a 20-goal-a-season striker. Allegri responded: “I don't know if Leao and Gimenez will reach that, but everyone must have the conviction to score. It's not just about those two: Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Fofana, Nkunku, Balentien, and even the defenders must contribute. Rabiot said he will score 10 goals? I hope for at least 8…”

The importance of substitutions

When asked about Pulisic's role, Allegri highlighted a modern tactical aspect: “Today, football is played with five substitutions, which are crucial. Often, players coming off the bench prove decisive: in the last half hour, matches change.”

The arrival of Rabiot and seasonal objectives

On the French midfielder, one of the summer signings: “The club was smart to seize the opportunity. All the new arrivals have raised the squad's level. Now we must work calmly: it will be important to see where we are in the standings by March.”

The objective remains clear: “The path is difficult, but we all have the same goal in mind: to play in the Champions League.”

Bologna, an opponent to respect

Allegri concluded with a warning: “Bologna is no longer a surprise, they are now used to being in the upper parts of the standings. They have speed, technical quality, and solidity. Tomorrow we must be attentive and respectful. We lost the first home game and cannot afford to make mistakes again: we need to win at San Siro.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.