Massimiliano Allegri felt Milan could’ve beaten Roma after fighting back twice for a 2-2 draw. “It was entertaining.”
Massimiliano Allegri felt Milan could’ve beaten Roma after fighting back twice for a 2-2 draw. “It was entertaining.”
Mattia Destro and Kevin Strootman’s penalty had twice put the Giallorossi in front at San Siro, but Cristian Zapata and Sulley Muntari pegged them back.
“It was an entertaining game for the spectators, a little less for us. We knew Roma were strong in space, but there were incidents we should’ve avoided,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“In the end it’s a good result, as we used up so much physical and psychological energy on Wednesday for the Champions League and could’ve paid for that.
“We could’ve done more when on 1-1, but made the wrong decisions on passes between the lines.”
They seemed to improve when Alessandro Matri came on to partner Mario Balotelli in attack and Allegri dropped tactical hints for the future.
“Obviously with another striker near him he can get away from the markers a little more. He did well tonight and had a great opportunity at the end to win it, but at the same time we ran a huge risk of losing too with the last kick of the game.
“Balotelli has always done better alongside Matri than on his own, such as against Napoli even though we lost. It’s normal that with Matri in the box to draw away defenders, it gives Balotelli more space to shoot from distance.
“Keisuke Honda can play with Kaka, Balotelli and Matri. It’s just a matter of finding a balance.”
Zapata is forming a relatively solid partnership with Daniele Bonera while Philippe Mexes suffers from an eye problem.
“They are doing well, just as Mexes and Zapata did last season. Adil Rami comes in for January and Mexes is recovering from this injury.”
Allegri was sent off during a very tense moment of the match, when Riccardo Montolivo was booked for dissent.
“Let’s just ignore the refereeing decisions. I accept them, I am sorry to have gone off the field and left my team – even though it went well, as we scored afterwards! Montolivo was talking to the referee, he is the captain and didn’t touch the official, so I don’t see why he was booked. It’s a shame, as Montolivo will now be suspended for the derby.
“I think we played some good football in the second half and we did well to emerge from Roma’s pressing. There were three or four occasions when Mattia De Sciglio was clear down the right, but it didn’t reach him due to a bad control or a misplaced pass.”
Allegri was also asked about today’s Champions League draw, which paired Milan with Atletico Madrid.
“I am confident because we are in the final 16, which is already an important target that we achieved. Unfortunately we’re the only Italian side to have achieved that.
“Atletico Madrid are doing great things, they were unbeaten in the Europa League last season and are leading La Liga. However, there’s a long way to go, so over the next few months our form could improve and theirs drop! It’s played over two legs, so anything could happen.”