Massimiliano Allegri insists that his Milan players cannot afford to be anything other than 100 per cent focused on Roma this weekend.
The Rossoneri face Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals in midweek, but the Coach has made it clear that only Luis Enrique’s Giallorossi should be in their minds.
Massimiliano Allegri insists that his Milan players cannot afford to be anything other than 100 per cent focused on Roma this weekend.
The Rossoneri face Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals in midweek, but the Coach has made it clear that only Luis Enrique’s Giallorossi should be in their minds.
“Roma? I hope we win tomorrow,” he admitted on Milan Channel on Friday.
“It will not be an easy match – the Giallorossi have changed their way of playing, they’ve defended much better in the last two games too, where they won 1-0 without conceding a goal.
“They hold possession very well and when not in possession they are improving. They are always dangerous going forward and tomorrow [Francesco] Totti should return.
“We’ll have to play a very good game, both from a technical point of view and in terms of tension and pace.”
Milan’s midweek opponents Barcelona are the side that Roma have attempted to mimic in playing style this season.
“The gaming systems of Roma and Barcelona are more or less the same, it is the Barca players that make the difference, but Roma have Totti and [Daniele] De Rossi, two champions, and they have young players of great value.
“I’m not thinking about Barcelona, tomorrow is a League game, it is the most important right now. Once we’ve played that game then we’ve faced the current top six in the League. We must be careful becayse with Roma, if you are not right on the pitch or take risks, they have quality, speed and good ball possession, and absolutely we must not think about Barcelona.”
Allegri also commented on current injury situation at the club. Alexandre Pato has flown to America for advice on his ongoing injury struggles and Filippo Inzaghi has been ruled out of action for three weeks. Meanwhile President Silvio Berlusconi, who spoke to Allegri last weekend, has reportedly criticised the number of injuries, with scrutiny falling on the team’s training methods.
“He never comments on training methods,” the Coach defended.
“At Parma on Saturday he asked about those who were injured and if the players were tired.
“He tends to protect the players, wants them to rest. However, there are fewer muscular injuries now than it may seem.”