Allegri brands Milan ‘a strong team with valuable players’ in preview of clash | OneFootball

Massimiliano Allegri has stressed the importance of his Juventus side giving the best possible account of themselves tomorrow night against AC Milan.

Milan take on Juventus at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening at 18:00 CEST in what is a huge game when it comes to determining who will finish in second place behind Inter.

Juve missed the chance to close the gap on the Rossoneri to three points by drawing against Cagliari, but a home win for them tomorrow would reopen the battle for second, something which has economic and sporting motivations.

Virtually every reliable source is claiming that the Pioli era at Milan is coming to an end, while Allegri too seems to be under a lot of pressure, but in the meantime there is still the objective of locking up second place to fight for.

Allegri did his pre-match press conference on the eve of the game this afternoon and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.

How do you approach this match?

“Tomorrow is always Juventus-Milan, a good game to play. Milan are a strong team with valuable players. Getting to the final [of the Coppa Italia] has allowed us to partially achieve one of our objectives. Now we have three games before the final where we have to get as many points possible to get into the Champions League.”

How is Bremer?

“Bremer had a little problem in Cagliari, he’s better now and I’ll decide tomorrow. We’ve had three days to rest and we’re ready to play a good match.”

What are Juventus missing to fight for the Scudetto?

“This question must be answered by the club and those who operate the transfer window. I am the coach and not the market man.

“I’m just saying that we must be focused on what to do, we have not achieved the objective of the Champions League which is very important for us on a technical level, because it takes you to play in the Champions League, Supercoppa, the Coppa Italia…

“It would be a Juventus committed on multiple fronts, beyond the league. Then there is the economic aspect, which would help the club to have important resources we have to stay focused on what there is to do.

“There are 15 points up for grabs, they are getting points behind us and tomorrow we need to play a match trying to get back to winning in the league and it won’t be easy.”

Who plays between Chiesa and Yildiz?

“They’re both fine. Federico has played a little more and I have to decide whether to start him from the start. Chiesa can always be decisive in one match, but I’ll decide tomorrow.”

How would you rank your season with a cup win?

“I answer very simply. These are not my businesses, but everyone’s. Of an important club, a strong team. We can’t win every year. The most important thing is that everyone at Juventus must have the ambition to achieve the best and win.

“Then if there are those who are better, we applaud and work to improve. When you can’t win, especially in today’s Italian football, it is important for an Italian club to play the Champions League. On an economic level it shifts the balance sheet of a club.

“So this, if we managed to get to the Champions League this year, I believe that in a phase of, not revolution, of a journey that began three years ago, in any case Juve would not have been left out of the Champions League, which is easy when you change players and lower the level.

“Reaching the club’s goal at the start of the season would be a success. I’m the first one who likes to win, everyone likes it, but reaching the goal is that and that’s what we have to get to.”

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What doesn’t work in your attack?

“We are in line with what we did last year. Maybe we could have been more effective. Pioli is doing an excellent job at Milan. I don’t know if Inter have been the strongest in these three years. I, however, have always said that they were the strongest this season and I was thought to be crazy.”

Is second place your goal?

“Tomorrow is a match, in case of a victory which won’t be easy, it can give us the opportunity to get to second place. Next season will be beautiful, because when you play a lot of competitions it will be stimulating.”

How do you explain the difference in performance between the first and second half?

“Well, at the start of the league we did first halves well and the second halves less well. In Rome [against Lazio] we made a lot of mistakes in the first half. We had big opportunities.”

Is not playing in Europe an advantage?

“For five years, Juventus won five Scudetti, four Italian Cups and played in two Champions League finals. We always reached the end with almost 55 games. I congratulate Marotta and respect Stefano’s thoughts, but the facts say otherwise.”