The Rossoneri coach spoke about the trip to Emilia: “Pulisic has recovered, but I don’t know how many minutes he has in his legs. Leao had cramps against Roma. No chance for Rabiot and Gimenez.”
The word “derby” is still unmentionable. Milan has only one goal in mind and is heading to Parma for tomorrow evening’s away game. Max Allegri reminds us of this, also pointing out that the points lost by the Rossoneri were against Cremonese and Pisa, teams fighting for survival. Parma is also aiming for the minimum goal, so Milan would do well not to look beyond Emilia. Allegri warns: “We know we are facing a team that fights hard and has Pellegrino, a striker who is good in aerial duels. We have to prepare ourselves mentally: it may not be a ‘beautiful’ game, but the result will be important. We will have to be quick and careful in defense, as well as more skilled and clinical in front of goal. And we will have to match our opponents, running at least as hard as they do. Only then will our technical qualities come to the fore.“ Max’s message is clear, with no other ‘distractions’… ”We’re not thinking about the derby at all: the three points will be even more important in Parma, because the next game is always the most important one.”
The watchword is consistency: consistency in performance, which is also necessary to approach the derby in the best possible way, and consistency in personnel. Will the team have the same players as last time? Leao and Nkunku will still be up front. “Pulisic is available, but I don’t know how many minutes he’ll get, but he’s fine. Estupinan and Jashari are also available. Rabiot and Gimenez will be ready after the break. Did Rafa come off with cramps against Roma? It means he held up well, he’s been out for many days: he must always have this attitude, it mustn’t be a sporadic event. This applies to him and to everyone.”
FUTURE PROSPECTS— Max boasts impressive numbers: the Rossoneri’s first away win was at Parma. Today, he’s at 99… : “I remember Pirlo’s goal from that first win, in another hard-fought match… 100? Let’s hope so, but more than anything else, let’s hope for the three points!” Then, on the team: “Maignan’s contract renewal? I tell all the guys: when we’re at Milan, we have to work with desire and passion, we have to hold on to the shirt and create the conditions to get results. Mike is a great goalkeeper: the club is planning for the future and the managers will do what’s best for the team. A new center forward? We believe in Gimenez, as well as Rafa and Nkunku, who can play as center forwards.”
