"We have to have respect for Barcelona but not be scared of them.," AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri on the Champions League against FC Barcelona
By Anna Italia
Everything is set for the Champions League match against FC Barcelona on Tuesday, September 13 at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona. However, one of the doubts for Milan coach Allegri is on the attack whether to choose Antonio Cassano or Alexandre Pato. For sure, forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the point of reference. Allegri, for the moment, tending to favor more on the duo Ibrahimovic-Pato. I will pick Pato too in this game for his speed and keep Cassano as a sub. And you?
Here are the declarations from AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri on the eve of the match during the press conference at the Centro Sportivo in Milanello..
 - Click here for the completeItalian Serie A 2011 - 2012 Schedule, Italian Football League tickets, 2011 - 2012 Coppa Italia Schedule/ Italian Super Cup 2011 / 2011 - 2012 Italy Serie A Calendar AC Milan Tickets - 2011
- 2012 AC Milan tickets, AC Milan Schedule 2011 Fixtures, Italy Serie
A, AC Milan Calendar, UEFA Champions League, San Siro Stadium Tour, and
AC Milan 2011 Friendlies
Buy FC Barcelona - AC Milan Tickets Tue, 13 Sep 2011. Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Time 20:45 Buy AC Milan - FC Viktoria Plzen Tickets Wednesday 28-09-2011, San Siro Stadium Milan, Italy UEFA Champions League Group Stage 2011 Buy AC Milan - FC BATE Borisov Tickets Wed, 19 Oct 2011. Stadio San Siro Stadium, - Click here to Buy AC Milan Gear, 2011 - 2012 AC Milan Shirts, Kits, Jerseys to Buy your 2011 - 2012 AC Milan Products like AC Milan jerseys with the names of Gattuso, Zambrotta, Inzaghi, Boateng, Robinho, Maldini, Pato, Thiago Silva, Flamini, Seedorf, AC Milan soccer balls, shorts, mugs, sack pack, AC Milan license plate,  |
"The team has trained very well after the Lazio game, we are ready to play this game, it is the first game of the Champions League and we want to start well. We will have to be careful in defence and do well up front. At the moment they are the team that plays the best football, they have so much quality both individually but also as a team, but we also have some great players, we are a very good side, we are Milan so we have to play with courage. You never know what can happen in football. I will change some players who played against Lazio, I will decide after this morning's training session. We must concentrate throughout the entire match, we have to respect Barcelona. We have to try and play a good game then we'll see what happens. It is the second time that I go to Barcelona after the Gamper Trophy but I am calm about tomorrow night, it isn't a final, just the first match of the group stages. We are playing against a side that has won so much but our aim is to get through the group stages.
"We have to play a different game to the first 20 minutes against Lazio, we were too spread out and we cannot afford to play like that for 20 minutes against Barcelona. Then we did well to come back against Lazio and we almost won the game...
The game against Barcelona will highlight the kind of shape we are in at the moment. Compared to last season we have played less friendlies, and that is how I wanted it. We don't have to be scared tomorrow and we can't play like the first 20 minutes against Lazio. We have to be well balanced knowing that we have a tough task on our hands. Ibra will play up front then I still haven't decided between Pato and Cassano even if Pato is the favourite. Then I also have a doubt about Nocerino or Ambrosini. We are doing checks on Robinho but I don't think he will come to Barcelona.
Allegri also commenting of the First Serie A games....
The first matches of Serie A? Palermo-Inter was a great game, Palermo did really well but Inter also showed what they can do despite the defeat. Pirlo? Everyone knows that Andrea is quality and I am happy that he played a great game, it isn't as of he has forgotten to play football just because he has left Milan.
"Ibra showed that he is world class at Barcelona and he is still showing it now. We have to have respect for Barcelona but not be scared of them. We have to try and make our quality count on the pitch.
The question... Antonio Cassano or Alezandre Pato
Cassano? He played a great game against Lazio and he will do very well this year and in the last 20 days he has reached a good level of fitness. Tomorrow I will have to choose between Pato and Cassano but I think this type of game suits Pato more. Pato's average goal tally for Milan is very high, my choices will not be based on how many goals they have scored in the Champions League. Pato is 22, he can improve a lot and if he plays tomorrow then I am sure he will do very well. Barcelona always play in the same way, they are technically very gifted and the almost always dominate their matches with possession but they can have moments when they lose their concentration."
Click the video to watch the declarations from AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri during the press conference ahead of the Champions League game against FC Barcelona
Your thoughts on the declarations from AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, agree, disagree, and why?Share in Twitter, Facebook, Favorite Social Networks
blog comments powered by Disqus
Comments