Massimiliano Allegri has dismissed fears that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato cannot play together and promised an instant reaction to the derby defeat.
Massimiliano Allegri has dismissed fears that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato cannot play together and promised an instant reaction to the derby defeat.
Ibra and Pato started for the Rossoneri in the weekend’s 1-0 reverse to rivals Inter, in a game that proved to be a frustrating evening for both forwards.
Even as Ibrahimovic is second in the Capocannoniere charts with 12 strikes to his name, Pato’s run of one goal in 10 League appearances has Allegri taking questions on the duo’s compatibility.
“There is no problem between Ibrahimovic and Pato. It is only a matter of finding the best fit. An understanding between them will grow as they play together,” Allegri declared to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“The boos [Pato] received in the derby have not affected him. Yesterday and today it is clear, I think Pato just needs to find the goal for his confidence.”
Allegri also promised that the Rossoneri will show a reaction to Week 18’s derby defeat in the midweek Coppa Italia tie.
“The defeat against Inter does not change the approach of Milan. We have absorbed it and tomorrow the challenge of the Coppa Italia with Novara allows us to turn things around very quickly.
“If we had drawn and Juventus had won then it would have been worse, but Milan is not afraid of direct confrontation. Perhaps in the Ritorno [second round of League fixtures in the season] we will win all five of them.
“We came from 10 wins and two draws, conceding few goals. Sunday was a bad game, we paid for a mistake, but Milan remain on course and we aim to finish the Andata [first round of League fixtures in the season] with 40 points.”