It has been an eventful summer at AC Milan and it was really interesting to read Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani and Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri bicker over what a successful season will be.
After some late signings including the capture of Nigel De Jong from Manchester City, Galliani is feeling pretty bullish about this season telling Gazzetta dello Sport:
“Now Allegri has no more excuses. Milan, thanks to our last four signings, are now back in the Scudetto race.”
As well as De Jong, Milan have also recently brought in Giampaolo Pazzini, Bojan Krkic and M’Baye Niang.
“De Jong is one of the strongest players in Europe in his role and he will, without a doubt, do very well for us” Galliani continued.
“The gap between ourselves and our rivals has decreased and Allegri can no longer hide. We need to play to win the League, not to just finish third.”
The man responsible for the team though is not quite as enthusiastic as his boss. While Massimiliano Allegri is delighted with the arrival of Nigel De Jong, he believes that Milan may only be targeting a top three finish this season, not the title.
“We are playing for one of the first three positions in the League, whilst the minimum target to make the group stage of the Champions League,” reflected the tactician in response.
“Juventus remains the favourite for the title, but we will try to fight with them for it.
“I’ve never lost enthusiasm, otherwise I would have gone. It is normal that when a team has completely changed that it will take time. We must forget Milan of the past few years, we now have a very young team.
“It is normal that I am angry at the defeat from Sunday, but we did not deserve that defeat.”
The pressure will be on Allegri this season. At a minimum, Allegri has to get a top three finish and that gets them into the Champions League next season. But Galliani will take note that Allegri appears to be conceding the title to Juventus this early in the season.
What do you think will be a successful season for Milan this year.
