Massimiliano Allegri ahead of Fiorentina-Milan: “We’ll have to be very good in Florence and we’ll have to play as a team”.

MILANELLO – Here’s what Massimiliano Allegri had to say in this afternoon’s press conference:

“It’ll be a big game for Montolivo and Pazzini tomorrow. Riccardo made his choices and he could be whistled at tomorrow but only in the hope that it’ll cause his problems as the fans know what he did for Fiorentina.”

“The club and the president have always been behind me. Montella did well in Catania and now he’s doing well for Fiorentina. He’s a good coach who plays good football and tomorrow will be a tough game. The team is in good shape physically but we’ll need to play technically well for tomorrow’s lunchtime kick off. The league doesn’t end tomorrow unfortunately as otherwise we’d be in the Champions League for next season. We have to go into tomorrow’s match knowing that it’s the first of 8 games and we need points to hold onto third place and get closer to second. If we get a positive result tomorrow the chances of finishing second or third will be higher.”

“Four months ago we were way down the table and now we’re in a different position. I don’t know how the season will end if it’ll be in second or third place, but it will have been a good season as the team has been rebuilt well by the club and the team has a great future of it. We should be able to fight for the title next season.”

“We’ll be looking to cause them problems but they’ll have the support of the fans. We’ll have to do well tomorrow and not to lose patience. We have to play as a team. It’s our first lunchtime kick off this season and it could be warm tomorrow for the first time.”

“I’m disappointed for Ambrosini as he did well in Verona and it’s  shame that he took a knock on Thursday. We preferred to give him a rest. The formation is pretty much decided upon. Montolivo will play in front of the defense with Ambrsoini out injured.”

“El Shaarawy has scores 16 goals in the first half of the season and it’s normal now that other players will start scoring. There’s only one player who scores 40/50 goals a season and he plays for Barcelona. The forwards are scoring well and we hope the defenders can add to that tally as well.”

“Montolivo was attacked at the start of the season for his performances but he had the strength not to back down and he continued doping well. He’s playing an important season and maybe we can say that this was the first time he had to deal with the pressure that being a Milan player can bring.”

“Nocerino is an important player and apart from Ambrosini, I have all players available to me. When you play for a big team, it’s tough to play every single game. Nocerino did well when he played but he’s not playing with continuity. However, he’s second or third in terms of minutes played for the midfielders.”

“I think that Juventus will be able to create what’s needed to get to the next round of the Champions League but bear in mind that they’ll be up against Bayern, a team with a great European tradition.”

“Mario Balotelli is a 22 year old player and he has potential that even he doesn’t know about yet. His objective should be to become one of the top five players in the world. He has to work but the attributes that mother nature has given him, no one can take away.”

“Possible suspensions won’t condition my choices. The best team will be on the pitch tomorrow and if players pick up cards, then other players will fill in for the coming matches. Fiorentina are playing good football and Montella is doing a great job. His team are cutting out most of their mistakes.”

“I tried to play a 4-2-3-1 with Pazzini and Balotelli. It was a good test in training and it’s a possibility for the match. I hope we won’t have to use it though as that will mean that things are not going well on the pitch.”

“There’s no point speaking about my future at the moment. From here to 19 may, we have to stay focused on our objective. I have a contract until 2014 and there’s no other news.”

“Zapata will play tomorrow. De Sciglio and Constant are both options and De Sciglio is the favorite. The critical moments have passed. The club always had faith in me. After Milan-Fiorentina I met with Galliani and the President. I explained what I thought and they backed me. That’s the way football is, you have to be balanced. Rather than celebrate if you win a game, you have to work towards your objectives. When things go bad, you have to make your evaluations, assume your responsibilities and be convincing with the club.”

“The reserve league is a good idea for players who don’t play that often as well as young players who need the chance to grow.”

“I heard from the President during the week and he’s happy with what the team is doing. He’s very close to us and always has been during the difficult moments. His presence is an important one for us.”