ALLEGRI: "RESPECT FOR GENOA AS WE AIM FOR THREE POINTS"

Our first match at San Siro in 2026. Symbolic but important. AC Milan v Genoa, on Thursday 8 January at 20:45 CET, on Serie A matchday 19. As per usual, Coach Massimiliano Allegri held a press conference at Milanello, live on the AC Milan Official App and Milan TV. 

GENOA
"Tomorrow, we face a Genoa side that has scored in each of their last ten games, with technically very capable players, good finishers, and Colombo, an extraordinary lad who's doing very well. We need to show them great respect, with the aim of taking all three points, because yesterday’s results have raised the points needed for the Champions League to 74 and for the Scudetto to 86–88. Our goal is to stay in the top four: we must stay balanced, keep our feet on the ground, and approach every game professionally."

DE ROSSI
"I've crossed paths with him only a few times, but he has all the qualities to become a top-level coach. He still has room to grow, which is perfectly normal, but he's already very capable. I'm happy to see him, particularly because I also have a connection with his father, with whom I played back in 1985."

MODRIĆ AND THE EXPERIENCED PLAYERS
"Modrić isn't a surprise in terms of his technical ability, but he is for the passion and humility with which he shows up on the pitch every day. He is an excellent example, especially for the younger players, because he demonstrates not only technical skill but also the dedication and love that today’s players should have for their work and the sport. AC Milan also have players who haven't played quite so many games but who are of excellent quality and could become important for the Club’s future."

LOFTUS-CHEEK
"I'm happy with what he's doing, and he's in good physical shape. He trained separately yesterday but will be available tomorrow. He has significant potential, and now he needs to assert himself even more."

FÜLLKRUG AND THE TRANSFER WINDOW
"We have four games in quick succession. Füllkrug is improving his condition and has shown he can put himself at the team's service while also bringing qualities that we didn't have. He's made a good impression, and we need his goals. The Club is working well for AC Milan, and we have excellent players here, so I'm calm."

ATTACK
"Leão and Pulisic have played very little together so far. If all goes well, despite not being at full fitness, they should start tomorrow. Leão needs to focus on scoring goals, as he did in Cagliari. He can only continue to improve, since he has missed several matches, as have Pulisic and Nkunku. The latter won't be available tomorrow, but we hope to have him back for our trip to Florence."

THE TEAM'S PLAY
"We work every day to get better, and one of our goals is to continue improving defensively, both with the ball and without, because football has two phases. When I started, I tried to learn from other coaches, knowing that there isn't a single method to win in football - otherwise, everyone would use it. Players change from one season to the next, so it's important to put them in the best possible position to perform well. Coaches themselves have different characters, but what really matters is getting results. The strength of the group is that they come to the pitch every day to improve. We conceded ten goals in our matches against Pisa, Cremonese, Sassuolo, Torino, and Parma. There was a period where our focus dropped, and we need to bring it back to a high level, as we did in the last two games."

CLINICAL FINISHING
"I've asked the lads to make life easier for me by scoring with the first shot, because it would be better for my heart. I think this is an important quality in the players: they know that every ball could be the only chance in a match, so it has to be taken. When you play to win, a single moment can even decide a season. Mental composure is essential, and this allows us to score from our first shot."

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