Allegri: Milan ´a step closer´ to Serie A title

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri believes his team are on track to claim the Serie A title after their 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Sunday.

Skipper Clarence Seedorf and Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato netted as the Rosseneri topped Fiorentina to maintain their three-point advantage over second-placed Napoli, who also picked up maximum points on the weekend.

“We still have the same advantage, have the advantage in the head-to-head records and there is a game less to play, so I guess we are a step closer to the Scudetto,” Allegri said.

“Now we have to take it one round at a time, then see how it all ends up.”

Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic said the winning side were the best his troops had played against so far in the term.

“I could not have asked for a better attitude from my lads, but the truth is Milan are the strongest team we’ve faced this season,” the Serb said.

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was dismissed in the second half for dissent, said he regretted his actions and insisted his cursing were directed at himself, not towards the match official.

“I am sorry, but it seems as if nowadays I can’t even mutter to myself without getting into trouble. I’ll do everything I can to help Milan win the Scudetto,” he said.

Mon 11 April, 2011

Allegri: Milan ´a step closer´ to Serie A title

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri believes his team are on track to claim the Serie A title after their 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Sunday.

Skipper Clarence Seedorf and Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato netted as the Rosseneri topped Fiorentina to maintain their three-point advantage over second-placed Napoli, who also picked up maximum points on the weekend.

“We still have the same advantage, have the advantage in the head-to-head records and there is a game less to play, so I guess we are a step closer to the Scudetto,” Allegri said.

“Now we have to take it one round at a time, then see how it all ends up.”

Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic said the winning side were the best his troops had played against so far in the term.

“I could not have asked for a better attitude from my lads, but the truth is Milan are the strongest team we’ve faced this season,” the Serb said.

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was dismissed in the second half for dissent, said he regretted his actions and insisted his cursing were directed at himself, not towards the match official.

“I am sorry, but it seems as if nowadays I can’t even mutter to myself without getting into trouble. I’ll do everything I can to help Milan win the Scudetto,” he said.

Mon 11 April, 2011

Allegri: Title won´t be won in derby

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri insists Saturday’s derby against Inter Milan may not prove decisive in the Serie A title race.

Milan top the table by two points from defending champions Inter heading into the showdown at the San Siro.

The match has been billed by some as a potential playoff for the Scudetto. But Allegri believes there will still be plenty of points up for grabs in the remainder of the season, regardless of who comes out on top on Saturday.

“Tomorrow’s match is a beautiful match to play in this moment of the championship,” Allegri said.

“AC Milan is leading the ranking up to the beginning of tomorrow’s match and I do also believe … that this match is more decisive for them than for us, since after tomorrow’s match there are still seven matches to be played and 21 points to be gained. Therefore, there are many chances to change the result of the championship.”

“Napoli and Udinese are also near us and near Inter Milan.”

Inter come into the game on the back of five wins and one draw in their last six league outings.

Milan have drawn one and lost one from their last two, but Allegri remains unconcerned about the part form may play.

“As far as the predictions are concerned, I’ve heard many things: somebody says the other team will be winning since we’ve gained only one point in two matches,” Allegri said.

“But we also have to say that the beauty of football is that things can change unexpectedly. We know that it’s impossible to win the championship when there is still a month to the end of the season.”

Mindful of the threat the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto’o pose for Inter, Allegri will be sending out his team charged with shutting down the opposition.

“We should be clever and compact since Inter Milan has a great potential, especially in the offensive department,” he said.

“We’re skilled as well and therefore we should play … from the technical point of view, without conceding too many spaces.”

Sat 2 April, 2011

Allegri: Title won´t be won in derby

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri insists Saturday’s derby against Inter Milan may not prove decisive in the Serie A title race.

Milan top the table by two points from defending champions Inter heading into the showdown at the San Siro.

The match has been billed by some as a potential playoff for the Scudetto. But Allegri believes there will still be plenty of points up for grabs in the remainder of the season, regardless of who comes out on top on Saturday.

“Tomorrow’s match is a beautiful match to play in this moment of the championship,” Allegri said.

“AC Milan is leading the ranking up to the beginning of tomorrow’s match and I do also believe … that this match is more decisive for them than for us, since after tomorrow’s match there are still seven matches to be played and 21 points to be gained. Therefore, there are many chances to change the result of the championship.”

“Napoli and Udinese are also near us and near Inter Milan.”

Inter come into the game on the back of five wins and one draw in their last six league outings.

Milan have drawn one and lost one from their last two, but Allegri remains unconcerned about the part form may play.

“As far as the predictions are concerned, I’ve heard many things: somebody says the other team will be winning since we’ve gained only one point in two matches,” Allegri said.

“But we also have to say that the beauty of football is that things can change unexpectedly. We know that it’s impossible to win the championship when there is still a month to the end of the season.”

Mindful of the threat the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto’o pose for Inter, Allegri will be sending out his team charged with shutting down the opposition.

“We should be clever and compact since Inter Milan has a great potential, especially in the offensive department,” he said.

“We’re skilled as well and therefore we should play … from the technical point of view, without conceding too many spaces.”

Sat 2 April, 2011

Allegri: Milan still have work to do

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri insists his side must maintain their focus if they are to claim their first Serie A title since 2004.

Allegri’s side head to Genoa on Sunday five points clear of second-placed Napoli and seven ahead of bitter rivals Inter Milan, who have a game in hand, and the coach has no doubts it will be a tough road trip for his squad.

“We are all concentrating as we know that tomorrow (Sunday) we’ll be facing an aggressive team, who will try to stop us playing,” Allegri said.

“They’re very good at doing this at home, therefore we should concentrate and put in a good performance from a technical point of view.”

Allegri insisted the form of Milan’s fellow title contenders meant his side could not relax for a second in the run home.

“The championship is starting its most important phase. We know that the championship won’t be ending on Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday,” he said.

“There are still 15 matches and we have to win most of them in order to win the championship. We should be able to keep the balance as we have done so far.”

“We were aware that Inter Milan would be able to compete for the championship, as well as Roma and Napoli, who remains one of the competitors even if they lost against Chievo.”

“We should be focused on what we’re doing without thinking about other teams, since the points we have now are not enough to win the championship.”

And the coach defended out-of-form striker Alexandre Pato, who has endured speculation in recent days over his future at the San Siro.

“I have Pato, I’m happy to have Pato and I want to keep Pato. There are no doubts on this. In the end I think he’ll get back to full fitness and prove to be an important player AC Milan,” he said.

Sun 6 February, 2011

Allegri: Milan still have work to do

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri insists his side must maintain their focus if they are to claim their first Serie A title since 2004.

Allegri’s side head to Genoa on Sunday five points clear of second-placed Napoli and seven ahead of bitter rivals Inter Milan, who have a game in hand, and the coach has no doubts it will be a tough road trip for his squad.

“We are all concentrating as we know that tomorrow (Sunday) we’ll be facing an aggressive team, who will try to stop us playing,” Allegri said.

“They’re very good at doing this at home, therefore we should concentrate and put in a good performance from a technical point of view.”

Allegri insisted the form of Milan’s fellow title contenders meant his side could not relax for a second in the run home.

“The championship is starting its most important phase. We know that the championship won’t be ending on Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday,” he said.

“There are still 15 matches and we have to win most of them in order to win the championship. We should be able to keep the balance as we have done so far.”

“We were aware that Inter Milan would be able to compete for the championship, as well as Roma and Napoli, who remains one of the competitors even if they lost against Chievo.”

“We should be focused on what we’re doing without thinking about other teams, since the points we have now are not enough to win the championship.”

And the coach defended out-of-form striker Alexandre Pato, who has endured speculation in recent days over his future at the San Siro.

“I have Pato, I’m happy to have Pato and I want to keep Pato. There are no doubts on this. In the end I think he’ll get back to full fitness and prove to be an important player AC Milan,” he said.

Sun 6 February, 2011