Milan, Allegri: Head-to-head with Atalanta for fourth place | OneFootball

The Rossoneri coach analyzes the away match in Bergamo: “We need more calmness with referees, even from myself. We’re in good shape, but we need clarity and consistency.”

Milan, Allegri: “Direct clash for fourth place with Atalanta. Reduced squad a choice made with the club. Sorry for Tudor”

The home draw against Pisa, which came in stoppage time, cost Milan the top spot in the standings. Now Massimiliano Allegri’s team is one point behind Napoli and Roma, but must deal with a long list of injuries right on the eve of the midweek Serie A round.

On Wednesday, the Rossoneri will face Juric’s Atalanta in a match the coach describes as “a direct clash for fourth place.”

“We’re in an emergency, but our squad is equipped to handle these problems. We’re getting Loftus-Cheek back and we’re going to Bergamo to play a great match,” Allegri explained in the press conference.

Allegri: “Leao can score 20 goals, but needs to be more clinical”

All eyes are on Rafael Leao, who is called upon to lead Milan’s attack in a delicate moment.

“Leao can score 15-20 goals per season. He’s growing and needs to believe in his qualities as a striker. In the box he needs to do more, be more clinical. He’s working well and will keep improving.”

On Gimenez, still goalless:

“He’s doing well, helping the team a lot. The goals will come, it’s just a matter of time.”

Injury emergency and squad management

Milan faces three matches in nine days with several key absences. Allegri, however, doesn’t look for excuses:

“The number of players was decided together with the club. We have a smaller squad, but it was agreed upon. The injuries were unexpected, but there are also positive aspects: Bartesaghi, De Winter, and Ricci are proving they can play for Milan.”

On the recovery of injured players:

“Loftus-Cheek is available again. Pulisic won’t be back for Roma, maybe he’ll be on the bench against Parma. Jashari will need time: during the break we want to organize a friendly to help him readapt.”

Allegri on the team’s current moment

“We knew the schedule until the next break would be complicated. Against Pisa we could have managed the last minutes better. In Bergamo we’ll have to play well technically and keep up the results.”

On the league:

“Serie A is balanced and open. The draw with Pisa can become an important point if we improve in managing situations.”

Modric, Ricci, and Fofana: individuals under the spotlight

On Modric:

“He knows how to manage himself very well. In his new role in front of the defense he’s extraordinary: he runs better, not more. He’s an added value.”

On Ricci:

“He’s playing in a role that’s not his, but he’s interpreting it well. He can improve the speed of his passing and, in the future, become an excellent playmaker.”

On Fofana:

“He’s growing defensively, but he needs to demand more from himself. He has enormous potential.”

Allegri: “We need more calmness with referees”

After the latest refereeing controversies, Allegri also calls for calm:

“Refereeing today is difficult, the speed of the game is very high. VAR has improved things a lot, but subjective situations remain. We all need more calmness, myself included.”

On Pisa’s second goal, deemed regular by the AIA despite an alleged foul on Gabbia:

“No comment. We need to grow in accepting refereeing decisions and stay clear-headed in key moments. Against Pisa we lost our shape, throwing balls into the box instead of building calmly.”

Allegri on Conte and the role of coaches

On Antonio Conte’s statements regarding coaches’ responsibility after matches:

“There are times when the coach should speak and others when it’s right for the club to step in. The important thing is that everyone minds their own business.”

On the possible involvement of coaches with VAR:

“It could be an interesting solution, as happens in Serie C, to request intervention in particular cases.”

Allegri on Tudor: “I’d feel sorry for him”

“I’d feel sorry for Tudor, he’s a good guy and an excellent coach.” Then, as we all know, the official dismissal of the Croatian coach was announced.

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