ALLEGRI: "IMPORTANT MOMENT, ONE STEP AT A TIME"

Another classic Serie A clash is just around the corner, and it's our last fixture in January: Roma v AC Milan awaits on matchday 21. Today, our Coach shared his thoughts at his pre-match press conference, broadcast live on the AC Milan Official App and Milan TV.

THE ROSSONERI'S WEEK
"The owner's visit was greatly appreciated by everyone. We are at an important stage of the season, in which we are focused on the end goal, to qualify for the Champions League. At the Olimpico we are expecting a great game against team who, like us, is fighting for a spot in the top-four. Roma reflect their Coach, who is doing an excellent job. They are an aggressive side, strong in both attack and defence. It's no surprise. We're expecting a a great atmosphere and it's going to take a highly technical perfomance."

ROMA, BOLOGNA, PISA
"These are three important games, though not decisive, because we've already picked up valuable points. However, we're facing a direct rival, a team playing in Europe, and then another away game against a side that is very much alive this season. We've got time to prepare well, and more than anything, it will be about staying focused and not wasting energt on things we cannot change. Since December 28, we've known that six of our nine games up to mid-February were away from home. At the end of the day, it's all about picking up points, no matter who the opponent is, to reach our target to qualify for the Champions League. In football, the underdog can beat the favourite in a single game, but over the course of the season, the top side will always come out on top."

PLAYER UPDATES  
"Alexis was feeling a lot better yesterday. I will decide today if I'll start him or bring him off the bench. Gimenez will be a valuable addition at the end of the season, his recovery is going well. As for the rest, everyone is available, including Leão, who’s still dealing with a minor issue, and Füllkrug. Pavlović is coming back from a knock to the head, and we’ll see if he plays. Ricci is improving a lot, he’s a smart player. The box-to-box role suits him better at the moment, though in the future he could also do well in front of the defence. What matters most isn’t how many minutes players get, but being effective and making an impact."

LEÃO
"Rafa has a minor groin injury, nothing serious just an annoying issue. Up front, we've got four players competing for two spots, which allows me to rotate and bring on fresh legs to make the difference in the final thirty minutes. His work rate? He has grown and continues to grow. There is talent there, he just needs consistency. But it's virtually impossible to find a player who is consistent for a full 90 minutes."

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RACE
"At this stage in the season, there are four of us fighting for three places, because Inter are on course for 90 points. There’s also the possibility, thanks to the strong performances of Italian teams in Europe, that Serie A could have five Champions League spots, and of course we’re hoping for that. Otherwise, it’ll be four teams competing for three places. Finishing in the top positions is tough. We’re up against strong sides, with coaches who are used to competing at the highest level. There won’t be any shortcuts, we’ll have to keep moving forward step by step and pick up the points we need."

SET PIECES AND CROSSES
"On Sunday, Gabbia had three good chances with headers and we also hit the crossbar against Genoa. From set pieces, it’s about both the delivery and the players attacking the ball, and there are moments when we need to be sharper. Roma are a very physical side and can be dangerous with players like Cristante and Mancini, so we’ll have to be careful. It’s an area where we can still improve, just as we can when we’re under pressure and need to move the ball better. When it comes to crosses, you have to be quick and accurate in the final third, that’s where quality really shows. We need to improve our decision-making and execution, even through repetition."

JANUARY TRANSFERS
"You can only really say if a team has improved at the end of the season. Bringing in Füllkrug straight away was important, he helped us a lot, and the club deserve credit for acting quickly. If he’d arrived just a few days later, he would’ve missed two matches. The summer window is the most important one, and the club did a good job both bringing players in and letting others go. The players who arrived in August are performing, Athekame settled in well, and Odogu is also making good progress, even in training. I’m very happy with the squad and I focus on what happens on the pitch. The rest is handled by the club."

EYES ON THE PRIZE
"Last season the Club didn't manage to qualify for Champions League, and this year, both technically and financially, we have to reach that target. It’s not something we’re owed; we have to earn it, step by step. For a top Italian club, playing in the Champions League is crucial. The revenue helps you manage the transfer market and secures a much brighter future than being out for a couple of years. Recently, the financial figures of Europe’s top clubs came out, and the gap with the English and Spanish teams is huge. We have to take it one game at a time. Getting into the top four requires hard work, complete concentration, and no distractions."

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