Massimiliano Allegri has outlined his ambition that Milan show courage against Barcelona this week and try to repeat last year’s result at San Siro.
The Rossoneri once more host the Catalans in the Champions League this Tuesday evening and their Coach is hopeful that after a slow start to the season, his side go into this test ready.
“Football is a team game, if you don’t play as a team then you lose,” Allegri mused in his pre-game Press conference.
“The physical condition of the side is improving. We all have to work in the same direction.
“Milan will have to repeat the performance they put in against Barcelona last season [2-0].
“We have to limit their characteristics as best as possible and we have to be courageous.
“Qualifying from this group will not be simple and we’ll look to get a result tomorrow. Now we need to find a bit of consistency.
“Barcelona have improved with Neymar because he is one of the best in the world.
“They have changed their style of play slightly and they have new solutions in attack. Patience will be necessary.
“It will be an important game and playing against Barcelona is always fascinating. They are the strongest team around.”
Doubts surround whether Mario Balotelli will be able to recover from injury in time to make the game.
“Balotelli is doing better. We’ll check on his condition in training today and we’ll see if he can be called up.
“Marco Amelia will play in goal tomorrow and he’s always done well when called upon. Nigel De Jong and Philippe Mexes will play because they didn’t on Saturday.
“I’ll decide between Andrea Poli and Sulley Muntari in midfield today, even if the Ghanaian remains favourite. Poli did really well on Saturday, but he is also really good at coming off the bench.
“Antonio Nocerino played well on Saturday too, while Muntari was tired.”
