AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri emphasized that despite two recent victories against Lecce and Bologna, the team still has deficiencies. He stressed the importance of improving goal conversion rates and confirmed goalkeeper Maignan`s fitness, stating he would feature in the Coppa Italia match against Lecce.
“We still have flaws; we haven`t become good and beautiful just because we won twice. We need to increase the percentage of chances converted. Maignan is well and will play against Lecce in the Coppa Italia.”
Milan, fresh off recent victories, is aiming for sustained performance in their upcoming match against Udinese. Coach Allegri acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter, highlighting Udinese`s strength, physicality, and current seven points. He stressed that two wins don`t make the team “good and beautiful,” urging them to maintain focus and responsibility.
Allegri emphasized the need to improve their currently low scoring efficiency and prepare for Udinese`s prowess in set-piece situations, labeling this match as the toughest among the four before the international break, surpassing even the Coppa Italia tie with Lecce and league games against Napoli and Juventus.
Leao Still Out, Maignan Confirmed for Coppa Italia
Rafael Leao will miss the Udinese game, continuing his individual training. Allegri expressed hope for Leao`s return against Napoli, clarifying that Maignan, despite being fit, would feature in the Coppa Italia match versus Lecce, not the league game. When questioned about Fofana`s potential absence, Allegri dismissed concerns about imbalance, stating that tactical approaches can change and emphasizing Fofana`s need to contribute more goals. He underscored that goal-scoring responsibility extends across all positions.
Controversy and VAR Improvements
Allegri avoided direct comment on the controversial unawarded penalty for Nkunku, an error acknowledged by FIGC president Gravina and refereeing chief Rocchi. He noted that while VAR has reduced overall errors, its application remains subjective, leaving room for mistakes. Allegri suggested a specific rule adjustment: disallowing corner kicks if the play leading to them originated from an offside position.
“How can VAR be improved? I don`t know. VAR has reduced errors, but as I`ve always said, in certain situations, VAR is subjective. And when the decision is subjective, there is a margin for error. One thing needs to be fixed: if there`s a corner kick resulting from an offside position, the corner should not be taken. They need to find a solution because we`ve seen similar situations cause issues.”
Team Atmosphere and Player Praises
Allegri remained cagey about Christian Pulisic`s starting status for the Udinese match, noting the player`s improved condition and strong performance against Bologna, while emphasizing the tactical importance of five substitutions. He dismissed the need for angry outbursts to motivate his “responsible and serious” squad, stressing the necessity of the right mental state for the challenging Udinese match.
Joking about his animated reaction against Bologna, Allegri mentioned removing his jacket carefully as it was new. He also confirmed he wouldn`t be on the bench, making a light-hearted comparison to Luis Enrique`s preference for watching from above. Allegri went on to praise Ricci for his consistent physical and technical growth and mental reliability, highlighting the value of such players. He briefly touched upon coaching “many champions” like Modric (Ballon d`Or winner) and commended Saelemaekers for his potential and mental composure against Bologna.
Time and Continued Work: Milan`s Path to Success
Allegri remained cautious about setting specific targets, emphasizing that with ten new players out of nineteen, performance will improve with greater familiarity. He acknowledged tactical errors against Bologna and stated that defensive improvements, despite recent clean sheets, are not fully resolved. He advocated for a balanced approach, avoiding extremes of exaltation or despair, reminding his team that winning is the norm for Milan.
Allegri underscored the daily work aimed at individual player development and highlighted the “explosive environment” surrounding the club. He concluded by reiterating that despite current good form, “nothing has been achieved yet,” stressing the significance of the upcoming Udinese match as one of the season`s crucial fixtures.
“We have ten new players out of 19, and the more we get to know each other, the better we will perform… The defensive phase is not entirely resolved just because we haven`t conceded goals in the last two games. We must maintain a very low profile, not go from euphoria to depression. The watchword is to approach this game and the subsequent ones with balance. At Milan, winning matches is the norm; losing a match is the exception. This must be our mental strength.”
