Allegri: ‘Milan need goals from Gimenez, Nkunku, midfielders and defenders’

Massimiliano Allegri says that he wants to see goals from more than just Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao, and has called upon three individuals to help Milan in front of goal ahead of Monday’s Serie A match against Torino. 

The Rossoneri will have an opportunity to move back to the top of the Serie A table if they are able to beat Torino away from home on Monday night. 

Milan claimed top spot last weekend after a 1-0 victory against Lazio, but were beaten by the same scoreline and by the same team in the Coppa Italia on Thursday. This means that Allegri and his team will only play in Serie A matches and the Supercoppa Italiana from this point onwards this season. 

Allegri previews Torino vs. Milan: ‘The important thing is to score goals’

Giving his pre-match assessment during his press conference on Sunday, Allegri said that Milan: “need to be ready to play a solid game. 

“There are a lot of numbers we want to try and reverse,” he continued. “Over the last 12 years, Milan have drawn six and lost all the other times (away against Torino), including the last three years. 

“They’re a team with strong technical values, they’re very physical. Playing at their place is difficult because they’re coming off the back of a series of negative results. We have to play a solid game.” 

Allegri gave an injury update for his Milan squad, and revealed that Christian Pulisic is at risk of missing out on Monday’s game against Torino. 

“We hope to have Gimenez back as soon as possible, he’s important and we need him numerically and tactically. Pulisic had a fever last night, we’ll see tomorrow whether he’s available or not. We won’t take him with us if he’s going to infect everyone. 

“Athekame is working on his recovery, we hope to have Fofana for Sassuolo. This is a very important week.” 

When asked for his assessment of the thrilling Serie A title race, Allegri said that there are two teams who have a better chance of winning it than Milan at this stage. 

“I don’t know, it depends on the runs that teams put together. Inter and Napoli are the best equipped for the Scudetto, but there are a lot of teams within a few points, which is an anomaly. At some stage, the standings will have to stretch out, and we have to stay there.” 

Allegri was asked if he wants to see more goals from his midfield department. 

He replied: “We started well with Loftus-Cheek in Lecce, then it’s stopped. Surely they’ll come eventually. We need to improve on set-pieces. We risked a lot when defending set-pieces as well, so we need to improve there. 

“The most important thing is to play as a team. In my opinion, the team played one of their best games in the defensive phase against Roma. Rabiot’s goals will come, Loftus-Cheek needs to be more convinced of his qualities.” 

Is Allegri pleased with what he has seen from his Milan squad so far this season? 

“I’m definitely not fully satisfied, but we don’t have to be. When you come to Milanello, you have to improve. We need the conviction to improve. Each one of us has to work to get the most out of it. Nothing is impossible and everything is possible. We have to do our best to achieve whatever is possible.” 

Allegri indicated that either Ardon Jashari or Samuele Ricci will start in midfield in the absence of Youssouf Fofana. 

“I’m happy for Jashari, who’s returned well. It was the first he played in a three-man midfield, he’s either played in a two or as a mezzala. Ricci is an intelligent and reliable player, which is a very important quality as a coach. Loftus-Cheek has to be more convinced of the qualities he has. He has great physical strength and has to score goals.” 

And on Christopher Nkunku, Allegri added: “Forget about the investment. He has extraordinary technical qualities, he also arrived late. 

“He had a good game at home against Lazio, especially in the decisive moments. He also has to be convinced that he can be decisive. I’m convinced that he’ll do well. And maybe tomorrow he can score a goal.” 

And on Santiago Gimenez, he said: “Santiago is working hard. We hope to have him back during the week. His ankle is fine. We need him. He hasn’t scored much, even though he’s come close. 

“He’s a reliable player, he’s worked a lot for this team, he’s had a lot of chances. He’s had three goals ruled out by an inch. He scored a lot for Feyenoord, it’s not that he’s unlearned how to score. 

Does the Torino match feel like a ‘derby’ to Allegri, given his previous association with Juventus? 

“It’s definitely not a derby for me. It’s a difficult game for everyone, not just for me. It’s a game with a very important outcome, it will be a lot clearer after we know what happens.” 

As well as Loftus-Cheek, Allegri admitted that he also wants to see more goals from Nkunku and Gimenez, as well as the midfield and defensive units collectively. 

“The important thing is to score goals. Right now, of the four strikers we have here, two have scored 10 goals between them. We need goals from Nkunku, Gimenez, the midfielders and defenders. At the end of the season, you have to score a certain number of goals and avoid conceding a certain number. I’ve never seen a team finish at the top with a minimal goal difference, it’s just mathematics.”