Massimiliano Allegri concedes he has been under pressure since the start of his Milan career and suggests the way forward. “We can’t keep wasting chances.”
Massimiliano Allegri concedes he has been under pressure since the start of his Milan career and suggests the way forward. “We can’t keep wasting chances.”
The Coach is thought to be hanging by a thread after a disastrous start to the season with just seven points in seven Serie A games and the derby defeat to 10-man Inter, leaving them in 11th place.
“There’s not much point talking now. Our objective has to be climbing the table without thinking about the first, second, third, fourth or fifth place,” he told Milan Channel.
“We are in a position that nobody expected at the start of the campaign. We were naive when conceding some goals and in a few occasions also unlucky. We’ve got to improve our defending on set plays, but also be more consistent in front of goal. We haven’t scored many compared to the chances created.”
The players have come out in public to support Allegri, while Vice-President Adriano Galliani also confirmed the club’s faith.
“We started on July 9 with a completely new squad, aware that we would’ve run into some difficulties. I must admit, we’ve had more problems than anyone expected,” continued Allegri.
“We mustn’t see everything as a disaster if the results don’t come. We do have to improve, but these are great professionals and we will climb back up the ladder.
“It is impossible to change everything from one day to another, but we do need to find consistency in our results. This is why it was disappointing to lose the derby when we played good football.
“Many things have been said over the last few months about my rapport with the President, with Galliani and the team. I speak frequently with President Silvio Berlusconi and since I first arrived at Milan we have never had an argument.
“He understands the difficult moment and is disappointed, but he told me to stay calm and encourage the squad. I have always felt this faith in me from the club. Now it’s time to get results. I can only smile at the media furore, as I’ve been up for debate since my first year at Milan. I’m used to it by now.”
The Rossoneri struggled with a series of injuries, as Robinho is not 100 per cent fit and Alexandre Pato hopes to return after the break for international duty.
“Robinho will be very important for us this season, as he has great technique. So does Pato, who is now ready to come back even if he still lacks match fitness. Pato has matured and has a sense of responsibility, so we expect goals.
“The thing we are paying for the most at the moment is our tendency to waste chances. This is why I am calm, as the football is there and we create the opportunities. We need more goals and above all a better average of goals scored from chances created. That has a huge influence on the standings.”