Allegri: ‘Milan and Napoli ambitious, but Scudetto in Inter’s hands’
Max Allegri gives an injury update on Rafael Leao and warns Milan and Napoli must focus on what is ‘in our hands,’ because the Scudetto race ‘depends on Inter.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Monday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
This is a real Scudetto showdown between third and second, who both moved to within reach of leaders Inter after the Nerazzurri went three rounds without victory.
At the same time, they are both looking over their shoulders at the battle raging for a top four finish.
Allegri focus is on Milan’s first objective
“When we are mathematically sure of being in the top four, then we can think about something else,” noted Allegri in his press conference.
“Football is fantastic, but in 15 days you can see seven months of work turned on its head. We mustn’t say that we want to win, because it doesn’t achieve anything. When you work at a club like Milan, you must have ambition, but having ambition and actually winning are two different things.
“So we must continue looking over our shoulders, especially as getting back into the Champions League is all in our hands, just as the Scudetto is in Inter’s hands.”
You can read more of Allegri’s comments here.
Can whoever wins on Monday between Milan and Napoli still hope of winning the title?
“That depends on Inter,” he replied.
“Napoli are a strong team, and the fact they are still there fighting despite all those injuries says a lot. The final result is all that most people judge a team on, though.”
As Rossoneri fans are banned from making the trip due to security fears, hundreds gathered at the training ground today instead to salute the players.
“It was a wonderful day, now the important thing is that we make it a wonderful Monday evening,” said Allegri.
“This was a great confidence booster, we were pleased to see the fans there. Tomorrow we’ll have a full training session and decide who will start in Naples.”
There are some injury concerns to deal with, above all for Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, while Santiago Gimenez and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are back from long lay-offs.
“Leao is doing much better, Pulisic came back from international duty in good shape. Gimenez is eager, Niclas Fullkrug and Loftus-Cheek are doing better, so everyone seems fine. Matteo Gabbia should be back from Tuesday too.”
Allegri was asked whether Leao will be in the starting XI and kept his options open.
“We’ll see tomorrow, but especially now with changes in temperature and the tempo of the games, we need players who have sharp minds and great technique. Now we finally have two strikers with precise characteristics, Gimenez and Fullkrug, available.”
With that in mind, the Leao as False 9 idea could be scrapped in favour of a 4-3-3 formation at Milan.
“The system only means so much, but Alexis Saelemaekers is far more effective as part of a trident than as a full-back,” noted Allegri.