Allegri previews Cremonese-Milan and addresses exit rumours: “Complete agreement”

On the eve of the game between AC Milan and Cremonese, Massimiliano Allegri spoke to the media and shared his thoughts on what he expects to be a tricky task.

Milan aren’t exactly in the best of form, first drawing against Como and then dropping all points against Parma to fall behind in the Scudetto race. Even for the Champions League, it’s now important for the Rossoneri to bounce back and get a win.

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Speaking to the journalists present at Milanello at the usual pre-match presser, as transcribed by MilanNews, Allegri spoke about the season finale, the latest on injuries, and why tomorrow’s game is trickier than some might think.

Tomorrow marks the start of March, a month you’ve often mentioned in your press conferences. How are things looking?

“We have got to March, and we have done reasonably well. We could have done even better. And now the season is being decided. March, April, and May will decide the league, the Champions League spots… The downhill slope begins tomorrow.”

What did you say to the team after the defeat? What kind of week was it?

“After six months without a defeat, we have all felt the backlash. On Tuesday, we were all a bit sluggish, but on Wednesday, we had a good training session. Sooner or later, we could have slipped up; we hoped not, but it happened. Now we have to get back to running.

“Cremonese have quality and they have had a good season. Milan haven’t scored in Cremona in their last three games: two 0-0 draws and one defeat. Their last win was in 1993/94; the year before, under Capello, they drew 1-1.

Latest on injuries…

“Gabbia is out. He’s still recovering from inflammation. We hope that he will return as soon as possible. Lofuts-Cheek had all his teeth fixed. Gimenez has completed all his pre-training. He’s in good condition. He might start training with the team next week. It’s a good sign, a good recovery.”

Are there any regrets? Or do you think the team gave its all?

“This team comes to Milanello every day with the desire to improve and achieve their best. Then, of course, there are the opponents. Inter are doing excellent things; they have won 21 of 26 games. The points we have are what we deserve.

“We got to March, that was the objective. Now we are taking things game by game with the goal of clinching as many points as possible. Then, on May 25th, we will see where we end up.”

On the forwards…

“All four of my forwards are doing well. I don’t know who I will field tomorrow, but we will need whoever’s on the bench in the last half hour. Pulisic has improved physically and mentally, and he will return to scoring. The important thing is that they are all doing well.”

Danger with Fofana, Rabiot and Saelemaekers one yellow away from suspension…

“The most important match is tomorrow. Then once the match is over, whoever’s still standing will be there for the derby. Anyone suspended will go to the stands.”

Are you in favour of VAR on call?

“There are pros and cons. It needs to be studied; we can’t just throw things out there. Things need to be final when we try them; it’s not like you can just go back on your decision.”

Capello says that Leao doesn’t convince him much as a striker…

“Fabio and I keep in touch. I respect him a lot and I talk to him. Leao has scored important goals so far. Given the players’ characteristics, he and Fullkrug are the centre forwards at the moment, with different characteristics. It’s true that sometimes it seems like something is missing in the box, but we still create chances.”

Last night, an incident similar to the one between Milan and Parma occurred, but the referee’s decision was different…

“My advice is that we as a team need to think about what we have to do. One incident can’t affect the match. We can’t have the excuse of a goal, a penalty, or a foul or no foul, otherwise we will go in the wrong direction.

“We need to be good at managing the unexpected: there are so many of them, and we need to be good at managing them. If you go behind, if you concede a penalty… that can’t affect us. We need to focus on the game at hand.”

According to the CIES, Milan are the worst European team in terms of the pressure index…

“There are teams that play one way and teams that play another. There’s no single method to winning in football. There are various methods, and there are teams with players with certain characteristics. We have earned 54 points and that’s what we deserve.”

Could you really leave at the end of the season? What do you say to the fans? Do some internal dynamics need to be clarified?

“We are in complete agreement with the club. As is normal in discussions, there can be differing points of view. It’s important that everyone works for the good of AC Milan. I’m very happy to have returned to the club after 15 years and to have started working with a wonderful group of guys.

“The club is planning and structuring AC Milan’s future. To do this, we need to achieve the most important result. So far, we are doing quite well in March. Now we need to see if we’re good enough to stay there or take the last step. There’s a connection between the club and me.”

Will Juventus and Inter’s exit from the Champions League affect the league?

“Only the standings will tell. First of all, it’s disappointing that the Italian teams have been eliminated from the Champions League. We hope that Atalanta, Bologna, Roma, and Fiorentina advance as far as possible, as they give us a chance of fifth place in the Champions League.

“As long as the Italian teams advance, it’s good for Italian football. Now, a 12-game season begins with the standings.”

If the season ended today, what grade would you give Milan?

“54, which is how many points we have clinched. But the season doesn’t end today: we are staying focused on achieving our main objective.”

On Rabiot and Jashari…

“They are players with completely different characteristics. Jashari is very good at building play. He was injured at the start of the season, but in the last two months, he has improved, like Athekame, De Winter, and Odogu.

“All the players the club signed in the summer have improved, as have those who were already here.”

How is Pulisic doing? What is missing?

“I think he’s close to a very good level. He has grown physically, he’s much calmer, and he has much more self-confidence. He could get back to scoring.”

On Jashari again…

“I think he’s growing a lot. He has had good games, even against Parma when he came on. It’s normal that he’s less prolific than Rabiot; he has different characteristics. But he was an excellent signing.”

Does Sal Da Vinci’s “Per sempre” also apply to Allegri and AC Milan? Do you have the mindset of becoming a manager like Ferguson or Wenger in the future?

“It’s in my DNA to move from one place to another, at least it has been until now. What I’m really happy about is that those who work with me, like Paolo Bianco, give me so much and it’s a wonderful staff. When the younger ones leave, start coaching and become good, it’s a source of pride for me. You need young, fresh people.

“What’s happened so far is that I’ve spent many years at Juventus and many years at Milan. We’re closely tied to results. The club has an important project, namely to return to playing in the Champions League and then get back to trying to win.”

The game is scheduled for 12:30 tomorrow, meaning it’s the early kick-off slot, and Milan will need to get their revenge on Cremonese in order to keep any hope of the Scudetto alive. More importantly, however, it’s the confidence boost that they need.