Allegri: “The Coppa Italia is one of our 3 key objectives, Tare has worked hard on signings and exits” | OneFootball

Massimiliano Allegri during training at Milanello. (@acmilan.com)

Massimiliano Allegri is getting ready for the first official match of the season.

After weeks of pre-season training, Milan begin their season tomorrow night at San Siro when they take on Bari at 21:15 CEST in the first round of the Coppa Italia.

Ahead of the match, coach Max Allegri sat down for an interview with MilanTV:

“The Coppa Italia is one of our 3 key objectives. Tomorrow’s game against Bari is an important one. You win games out on the pitch. We all know how important tomorrow’s game is, because it’s the start of the season. We need to be ready and we need to respect Bari. We also need to take responsibility.”

How do you feel ahead of the seasonal debut?“A lot of excitement. Thank you to the fans, who’ll be at the stadium tomorrow.  But we need to play responsibly and with organization. We need to show our class but most importantly, show Bari respect. Bari are an organized outfit. They’ve got a good coach. They looked good in pre-season too. We need the win tomorrow, because we want to progress in the Coppa Italia so we can try to make it to the final in May.”

The squad during training at Milanello. (@acmilan.com)

How important is the match against Bari?“This is a big game on a mental level, because it’s a step forwards that we need to take. We have 38 games in the league, and Serie A is not won or lost based on one match. You need balance. We can’t self-congratulate when things go well, and we can’t let our heads drop in the tough times. We need respect and strength for every game we play, not just the big games but against the mid and lower-table teams too, because that’s what makes the difference over the course of a season.”

How important is the Coppa Italia?“People always undervalue the Coppa Italia at the start. Then, once it gets to the semi-final stage the competition becomes more important. It also means you play in the Supercoppa the following year. It’s one of our 3 objectives this year, because we’re not in the Champions League.”

What formation are you going to play?“I’m not a big lover of numbers; 4, 3, 5… what matters is that the team attacks well and also showing the technique that these good players have. We also need to defend well, as a team, not just the defenders. We’re working on it and it needs improvement. You can’t get away from certain numbers in the league: if you concede a lot of goals, you finish lower down, if you concede fewer then you finish higher. We want to finish in the Top 4.”

Massimiliano Allegri with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic during training at Milanello. (@acmilan.com)

How has the club been this summer?“The Club has worked really hard. Tare has worked hard on signings and exits. We need enthusiasm, as well as hunger and confidence in ourselves. The new guys have settled in well. The mood is high. Now the season is starting, the pressure will increase, but that’s normal. This is a good team. However, football is not an exact science. You get seasons when you don’t do well, but that doesn’t make the players worse.”

What do you think of the team ahead of the new season?“Last season, this team got to the Coppa Italia final and won the Supercoppa, so they did good things. This is the start of a new season, and we need to focus on our objectives. We all need to have clear aims in mind for a process in a 38-game season. When the games that matter start, whether that’s to go through in the cup or get 3 points… Next Sunday against Cremonese everyone will look at it differently. So we need to be more focused and be aware that the time for joking is over.”