AC Milan vs Juventus - Allegri: Juventus need 'major improvement' to win at AC Milan

Posted Saturday, October 22, 2016 by PA

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri accepts the Serie A leaders will have to produce their very best to secure a positive result at AC Milan.

The Bianconeri recorded a sixth straight win with a 1-0 success at Lyon in midweek to remain top of Champions League Group H.

With no European football this season, Vincenzo Montella's Milan squad have been able to channel all of their focus towards Saturday's showdown at the San Siro.

The Rossoneri have climbed up to third in the table following a five-match unbeaten run, behind Roma only on goal difference.

Despite Juventus' record of nine straight wins over their rivals, Allegri is all too aware of the challenge which awaits at the home of the club he left in January 2014, having guided Milan to the Serie A title in 2010/11.

"We will find a team that has great enthusiasm, they are young, strong and have good technique, so I would say (on Saturday) to get a result we have to make a major improvement, with our head, but especially with great competitiveness and ability," Allegri said at his pre-match media conference.

"I have to congratulate Milan because they are having a great season, with the young players - who will certainly be the future of the Italian national team - playing really well. Now, led by a great coach, they must grow.

"(On Saturday), like Milan-Juventus and so many other great matches, are always balanced. We went to Milan to take on Inter (in September) as clear favourites, but took a heavy blow."

Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic missed the match against Lyon, but is expected to be available following a muscular strain in his thigh/hip, but defender Giorgio Chiellini remains doubtful as he battles as calf problem.

Milan boss Montella, meanwhile, is in no doubt of the quality his men will be up against.

"Juve have a stratospheric squad that will require our utmost humility and concentration and the ultimate sacrifice in order to play on par with them," he said to Italian media.

"We are keeping our feet on the ground and we must approach (Juve) with humility and mental freedom.

"The game is very difficult and they are very strong. We want to make a good impression.

"We are trying to carry out a job. Sometimes we slow down and sometimes we go faster, but in recent weeks we have upped our speed."

Midfielder Andrea Poli believes the Milan players will be fired up to end the poor record against the Bianconeri, who have won the Scudetto in each of the past five seasons.

"Juve are the team to beat and surely are the strongest candidate to win the league. We will try to reverse the negative trend starting from Saturday. We are ready for this great clash," Poli told Milan TV.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm from our fans, I think our players have seen this in these first months, we want to play a great match in front of our fans."