Massimiliano Allegri doesn't mince words on the eve of Milan-Napoli, the key match on matchday five of Serie A. The Rossoneri coach announced the return of Rafael Leao, who has been sidelined for 45 days: "He will be called up, he's ready to contribute even though he's coming off a period of individual training."
Regarding Napoli coach Antonio Conte , Allegri prefers to remain silent: "I don't care what he says, we only have to think about ourselves. Conte's numbers speak for themselves; his teams don't give much away: it will take a great performance to score." The coach expressed satisfaction with the transfer market: "The club has built a balanced squad, with a mix of experience and youth. We're on the right path, but the goal is the group: individuals must put themselves at the service of the team."
Allegri remains undecided about the lineup: "I have several options in attack. Nkunku is growing like Pulisic, and Gimenez has unlocked himself. We're not just looking at the result; this match must be a test of our growth." The stated objective is clear: "Milan must return to playing in the Champions League. I'd rather have matches every three days than a game a week: we need rhythm and consistency." Finally, a thought for the present and the future: "We're on a work path; we need to grow step by step. Perceptions change depending on the results, but the important thing is to maintain balance and team spirit."
Rafael Leao's return is good news for AC Milan, but I'm not sure he's 100% ready. Allegri is right to want a balanced lineup, but there are too many doubts about the lineup and the game.