Allegri after Milan-Atalanta 2-3: focus on Genova and responsibilities
Following the home defeat against Atalanta by 2-3, Manager Massimiliano Allegri spoke to the press in the post-match conference, analyzing the performance and already looking ahead to the next fixture.
The match and the difficult moment
«First of all, I don’t like talking about what has happened so far. It makes no sense, we can’t change it. We just need to have a good week of work, focused on the match in Genova, which could be decisive for our Champions League qualification.»
Allegri then analyzed the game’s development: «Tonight the match started well in the first 10 minutes, then at the first opportunity we conceded a goal. After that we fell apart, but in the second half, after going 3-0 down, we had a good reaction. We started scoring again, and that’s a good sign.»
On the team’s current difficult spell, the coach was straightforward: «It’s natural that nobody would have expected this difficult moment. It must be faced with a great sense of responsibility and we just have to get on with it. On Sunday we play an important match in Genova against a team that always gets results at home.»
On Leao and the other players
When asked about Rafael Leão‘s struggles, Allegri broadened the discussion to the whole team: «I believe that right now it’s not a problem for Leao, nor for Nkunku, nor for Fullkrug, nor for Gabbia, nor for Maignan. Right now the priority is the team. Rafa had his chances tonight, just as he had them last Sunday against Sassuolo. That’s the way it is at the moment, he’s an important player, and he’ll be suspended on Sunday.»
On the possibility of simultaneous fixtures
Regarding the possibility of playing the remaining matches at the same time as their rivals for the Champions League spots, the manager explained: «You are certainly right, but it’s not feasible because we don’t make those decisions. We need to win at least one match, then we’ll think about the other. The squad has always worked hard and I have absolutely nothing to reproach the players for.»
Responsibilities and the protests against Furlani
When asked about the heavy protests directed at Giorgio Furlani and how responsibilities should be shared in such a moment, Allegri did not shy away: «When results are lacking in these difficult moments, I am the one responsible, because I am in charge of a group of players who have always given their absolute best. Right now there is no need to look for who is to blame.»
The manager concluded with a clear message about the Champions League qualification: «I have always said and repeated that the Champions League spot was not a certainty, because we had not yet gone through a difficult period. We are in one now and we hope to get through it.»
