Massimiliano Allegri has admitted that it will be hard for AC Milan to catch Inter, likening it to a horse race.
Milan take on their city rivals tonight hoping to win and complete a league double, but also to reduce the gap in the table to seven points and perhaps to reignite the title race, even if it will be a tall order regardless.
It is expected to be a record-breaking derby in terms of the revenues that will come from ticket sales, and the eyes of Italy and the world will be on Milano. Allegri is hoping that his stars can perform, and that he can again get the better of his opposite number Chivu.
Allegri spoke to DAZN in an interview that was aired the night before the derby and he previewed the big clash at San Siro, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Assuming you have already secured Champions League qualification, what do you have for your players in a derby where they’re 10 points behind?
“You can’t make assumptions. We have to look at reality. Right now, we’re 10 points behind and haven’t even reached the Champions League yet.”
If your race were just against Inter, and it were a horse race, how would you compare it to the league?
“You have a horse with a 10-point lead and 200 meters from the finish line, it’s difficult to catch.”
Do you feel the responsibility to keep the title race open?
“We have to think about ourselves more than the Serie A title race. We’re thinking about ourselves and our goal. There are still a lot of points to go, and we have to take it one game at a time, as is normal.”
Do you feel like you’ve recreated a very peaceful atmosphere at Milanello and that you deserve the credit?
“It’s absolutely not my merit, but rather everyone who works at Milanello, people who put love and passion into what they do, and a group of young people and players who are empowered by everyone to perform at their best.”
Saelemaekers praised it, while Rabiot described it as more relaxed than in Turin. What do you say?
“Good (laughs). As for Rabiot, I wish he hadn’t said that because I’m getting older. It’s fine, fortunately, but I’m happy with what they’re doing, but we absolutely mustn’t settle for the results we’ve achieved, which remain, but we haven’t achieved anything yet.”
In these cases, two years after the derby with the second star, how much do you rely on the desire for revenge?
“We mustn’t look back, but to the present and then to the future. The derby is a game in itself, and despite this, there are only three points up for grabs, and those are the ones that count.”
Do you feel like we couldn’t have done better this year?
“No, absolutely not. We could have done better in some circumstances, but if we have 57 points, they’re what we deserve. The number of points needed to win the Scudetto this year is much higher than last year.”
Do you have anything planned with Cardinale?
“We’re very happy that the owners are back and coming to the stadium, but we only have to focus on the pitch and future strategies.”
