Roma vs AC Milan preview - Allegri going nowhere - Galliani

Posted Saturday, October 29, 2011 by PA

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has sought to end speculation about the long-term future of coach Massimiliano Allegri by saying the former Cagliari boss is set to remain in charge next season.

Reports in the Italian media ahead of the trip to Roma suggested Allegri's future at the club was in doubt with the coach having yet to be offered a contract extension, with his current deal ending next summer.

However, Galliani said to Gazzetta dello Sport: "Enough with this story. I can only say that Allegri is set to remain as coach of Milan next season."

Allegri led Milan to their first scudetto since 2004 last season.

The defending champions had a dismal start to the current campaign but a dramatic improvement has seen them win their last three league games in style.

Wednesday's 4-1 triumph over Parma followed their 4-3 success at Lecce and 3-0 win over Palermo and lifted the Rossoneri up to fifth place, two points behind Serie A leaders Juventus.

"We are in a good position right now," Allegri said. "If we continue to win we will get closer to the top of the standings.

"But I expect a high-pressure game in Rome.

"Roma are a difficult side to play against, they play good football and we will need to play a good game."

Luis Enrique's Roma have been inconsistent this season, with just three wins from eight games.

They beat Palermo 1-0 last weekend only to lose 2-1 at Genoa in midweek, a result that dropped the Eternal City outfit to ninth place, three points behind Milan.

Despite that setback, Luis Enrique was impressed with his team's display and expects a similar performance against Milan.

"We dominated the game against Genoa," he said. "We didn't deserve to lose.

"For the first time this season, we played our game for 90 minutes and that can only please me.

"Now we must show the same determination against Milan."

Roma will be without injured captain Francesco Totti and midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who is out with a muscular problem.

Milan travel to the Stadio Olimpico without Alexandre Pato, Gennaro Gattuso and Mathieu Flamini, all sidelined through injury.