AC Milan vs Parma preview - Allegri accepts favourites tag
Posted Saturday, February 12, 2011 by PA
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri firmly believes his side are still favourites to win the Serie A title.
The Rossoneri go into the match against Parma on the back of consecutive draws against Lazio and Genoa and sit three points clear of Napoli at the top of the table.
"Right now we lead the standings and hence it's normal that I feel we are favourites to win the scudetto," Allegri said.
"But I always knew we would have to battle until the end for the scudetto."
Milan's recent results have allowed defending champions Inter to cut their deficit with the Rossoneri to just five points with the Nerazzurri also having a game in hand.
"Inter Milan have a lot of quality, just like Napoli and Roma," Allegri said. "But my only focus is on Milan and on recovering some of our injured players."
The Rossoneri welcome back midfielder Andrea Pirlo and defender Andrea Nesta, who have shaken off their respective injuries, as they look to extend their seven-match unbeaten run on Saturday.
Parma, meanwhile, collected their first point in three games in last weekend's 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.
The result lifted Pasquale Marino's men to 16th place, four points clear of the relegation zone.
Parma defender Cristian Zaccardo has warned Milan they will make a mistake to underestimate his team.
"We will not go to the San Siro acting as victims," said Zaccardo. "We need a further 14 points to defend our Serie A status.
"We want to get a positive result and give our fans some joy with a good performance at the San Siro.
"The team is capable of doing just that as we proved earlier this year at Juventus."
Parma won 4-1 at Juve on January 6 in what was their last win on the road.
The visitors will be without midfielder Stefano Morrone, who serves a one-match ban.
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