As the club tries to clear the runway for Honda to land,
Massimiliano Allegri has the squad out sweating in preparation for the
Champions League qualifier. AC Milan will have to play this game well
and will need to be physically and mentally prepared as the day of the
match is nigh. Allegri isn't particularly concerned and sums up the
situation two days after the run-out against Pergolettese and ahead of
the TIM Trophy against Juventus and Sassuolo in Reggio Emilia. Naturally
the Bianconeri were the main interest as the conference began: "The
team have worked well, despite the absence of our internationals. We
played a good match against Pergolettese in spite of the tough schedule
we had preparing. Tomorrow will be a real test for us against my former
club, newly-promoted Sassuolo along with odds-on favourites Juventus.
They are also title favourites, even though it will be tougher this year
with another six teams in the running for Champions and Europa League
places. Inter and Roma have strengthened their squads and have the added
advantage of not having to play mid-week, as well as Napoli, Lazio and
Fiorentina. At the moment it's difficult to say how far ahead Juve are,
AC Milan are further ahead than we were last year, when we changed
almost all of the players."
formation —
They'll need to show something more tomorrow in Reggio and well does
Allegri know it: "It's fundamental that we show something extra. The
Champions League qualifier is approaching. A three-man defence? We'll
make up our minds according to who we are playing, just like last
season, but we'll begin with 4-3-3. Then, as my players can adapt well
to different roles, I can choose. As I have already said, this team is
much further ahead than the team of 2012."
champions league —
All of our prospective rivals are to be feared: Real Sociedad, PSV and Fenerbahçe are the ones I fear most. We have to be ready"
transfers —
"The most effective signing? Balotelli in January. Tevez? I think
Balotelli was a better move because you have to seize the moment. I have
no regrets. They are two of the most important players on the
international stage; Tevez is 29, Balotelli 23: that's the only
difference. In four months at AC Milan Mario scored a lot of goals and
created a lot of chances from dead-ball situations. He is just 23 and
he's already an important part of the mechanism here and with his
physical and technical ability he can only get better. El Shaarawy?
He's still young: he will have thought about things and found new
motivation during the break. He will have understood that in football
today, playing a good away leg isn't always enough. The club have had
talks with the lad, who has always been a key player for me and for
Milan. Three new boys have arrived: Saponara, Poli and Vergara. This is
an indication of the choices the club is making. We are adding youth to
the squad with young, quality players. We'll all have to give them time
and be patient until the time is right to insert them when they can do
well. Honda? He's a good player but he plays for CSKA. So I'd rather not
say too much about him."
violet remarks —
Pizarro supposedly had a dig at AC Milan (They kept us out of the
Champions League although we deserved to be there, they pulled a fast
one) but it was rapidly parried by a comment from Allegri: "Let's just
say it was summer gossip...".
special mention —
The press conference opened with special mention for two people who are
important for the Rossoneri coach: "I'd like to send my wishes for a
speedy recovery to Acerbi, a youngster who underwent an operation a
couple of days ago. And also to Tito Villanova who has had to give up
his bench at Barcelona to fight the most important battle of his life.
This is what's important and they are both in my thoughts."
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