Milan, Allegri: We're not favourites, but youth is our future | OneFootball

Massimiliano Allegri takes stock of the new Milan: "Young team, long journey. No European cups? Training more is not enough: we will miss the big challenges"

Milan, Allegri: "We are not favorites, but we will build the future with young people. The absence from European cups? A disadvantage, not an advantage"

On the eve of the last friendly match of the Australian tour, scheduled against Perth Glory, Massimiliano Allegri spoke at a press conference in Perth, drawing up a balance of the Milan intercontinental retreat. His words outline a project under construction, based on young talents and awareness to be strengthened.

Last test in Australia: mental attention and tactical growth

The Rossoneri coach immediately emphasized the importance of the last friendly match of the tour, more for the mental aspect than for the absolute value of the opponent:

"We are at the end of a positive tour. Against Perth Glory we will have to play with seriousness and respect: for them it will be a significant match, but also for us it will be an opportunity to measure physical and tactical progress. Challenges like those against Arsenal and Liverpool naturally stimulate concentration. Tomorrow we will understand how much we have grown mentally".

A young Milan to build the future

Attention then shifted to the identity of the squad, which Allegri defines as "very young", emphasizing the importance of talent over age:

"Who is good plays, age doesn't matter. We are building a group with valuable young people, inside and outside the field. This can be a strength for the future, but it requires time, patience and awareness".

Scudetto? "Favorite who won. Milan must think about growing"

When asked if Milan can be among the favorites for the title, Allegri responds with pragmatism:

"Napoli is the favorite, because whoever wins is always the favorite. Inter is a solid team, which has been working well for years. Then there are Juve, Atalanta, Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio: all teams equipped to play for the top four places. Our goal is to be competitive, but the fight will be open and very tight".

Without European cups: opportunity or limit?

Among the central themes of the conference also the absence of Milan from European competitions. An absence that, according to Allegri, must be evaluated with lucidity:

"Training all week can help physically and organizationally, but it's not enough. Milan must play in the Champions League to compete with the best and measure its growth. Cups are not just a goal, but a development tool. Staying out is not an advantage: it's a stimulus to do better".

Modric, Gimenez and Estupiñán: gradual insertions

On the front of new purchases, Allegri confirmed that the next few days will be dedicated to the gradual insertion of experienced profiles and young promises:

"Modric and Gimenez will enter the group progressively. Estupiñán is already inserting himself well, demonstrating technical and human qualities. Some young people will return to the Milan Future project or return to Primavera. The squad will be better defined in the next 15 days, in view of the official debut in the Italian Cup against Bari".

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