Massimiliano Allegri insists Saturday's tie against Palermo is a must-win encounter for his Milan side.
The champions have started the Serie A season poorly after collecting just five points from the opening five games.
Massimiliano Allegri insists Saturday's tie against Palermo is a must-win encounter for his Milan side.
The champions have started the Serie A season poorly after collecting just five points from the opening five games.
They also didn't leave a good impression before the international break after they were defeated 2-0 in Turin by a dominant Juventus” data-scaytid=”4″>Juventus.
"We got the game wrong at Juve," the Coach said on Friday. "The Bianconeri played well, whereas we didn't.
"But don't forget that it was still 0-0 with three minutes of the game to go…
"Palermo? They are an organized and aggressive side, a team who is playing reasonably well and has enthusiasm.
"This is a very important game for us, one that we have to face in the best possible manner. And we also have to win because we've only done so once this season. We have to get three points."
The build up to the tie has been dominated by the recent statements made by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antonio Cassano, players who already seem to be thinking of retirement.
"These things are blown out of proportion," Allegri noted. "Cassano has to continue the excellent things that he is doing for Milan and Italy.
"Ibra is in good physical shape, he's positive and that is what counts for me. He's a player that can still make the difference for three or four years."
Allegri added that Massimo Ambrosini and Philippe Mexes won't make the Palermo game, but he defended the struggles of goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.
"He's serene and there are no problems," the former Cagliari” data-scaytid=”18″>Cagliari boss added. "He showed last season that he was one of the best goalkeepers around.
'He's had a couple of moments this term, but he hasn't turned into a bad 'keeper and he has my faith."