AC Milan welcomed Massimiliano Allegri back earlier this summer, and hopes are high about what he can do with the Rossoneri.
After last season, it will be difficult for Milan to get worse. A season made only slightly less tragic by the Supercoppa Italiana, there is work to be done. However, actions are occurring, and the Rossoneri already made the big one in re-hiring Allegri.
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The Italian is hoped to be the saviour of the Milanese project, which has stuttered in recent years, causing things to get slightly toxic.
Allegri’s ability
Fixing the Diavolo is not an overnight thing, so his appointment coming as early as it did is a huge step in the right direction. Additionally, the groundwork to make signings is promising. It goes further with things like the pre-season plans too.
For some, though, the biggest aid is the coach himself, and Hachim Mastour, the former Milan wonderkid, spoke to MilanNews about his return.
Your journey in Milan. What really didn’t work in your management?
“Definitely landing at a club like Milan had and still has aroused pride in me. I played with great champions and I was trained by real coaches, with great passion and who passed on a lot to me. It was a wonderful period that I always remember with great happiness and pride.
“Then, of course, pressure and difficulties are part of the game but above all of life, at Milan they could have managed me better from many points of view, but I am happy to have lived a piece of life together with the Rossoneri family.”
In 2017/18, you were in the first team, with Gattuso as coach of Milan. How important was Rino for you in that season?
“In that Milan, Rino was really important for everyone, not just me. He is an incredible person and a great coach. When he arrived, I remember that he immediately called me into his office and told me that he had heard a lot about me, but that he wanted to judge me well with his own eyes.
“After a few days, he told me that everything he had read and heard about me was not true. For me, it was a source of great pride, because we always talk about Gattuso, an expert and a champion in the sector.
“I worked a lot with him, he always tried to encourage me and charge me up, for the group, he was a point of reference. Today I am happy that he is the coach of Italy, we need a person with great passion like he has.”
Allegri back at Milan: you often met him at Milanello…
“Yes, it’s true. Allegri was always very kind and helpful to me. I have good memories when I trained in the first team with him and Ibrahimovic, for example. In my opinion, he is a top coach, one of the best in Europe.
“I remember when I happened to train in the first team, he always gave me a lot of advice, but above all, he left me free to play. He told me, ‘Play as you know how, stay calm and have fun’. You understand that it was very important for me to have a figure like that in that period.
“Allegri is very good at this, at understanding players, but above all people.”
Next Serie A, many teams have changed a lot…
“Yes. I see a very balanced Serie A, with many teams that can do well. Obviously, a part of me is always tied to Milan, and I hope that with Allegri, the team can find itself and do better and better. I think that by playing one game a week, there is a better chance of getting to the end of the championship, and you can have more energy at the end of the season.
“I also have many friends who still play for Milan, so as I said before, I am their first fan.”
Friends like Leao?
“Yes, Rafa. He is a friend and an incredible player because he has extraordinary qualities. I think he has shown over the years what kind of champion he is, but he can still improve, and with Allegri, I think he can become stronger.”
Oh.. there he is.
The youngest ever milan glorie squad
Leao work rate is 50%.
Always like half a player missing
Sell him if there is a reasonable offer
One of the few reasons I see positive in Allergry is that I believe Leo will be suitable to his style of play
We all know how good Leao can be if Allegri gets his top out of Leao almost every game I think we have the best player in the league