19 September 2014
Milan boss Filippo Inzaghi says reigning champions Juventus remain favourites against his new-look side tomorrow night – but believes a lively San Siro crowd could have a crucial part to play in inspiring his charges.
Previewing the clash with the media, he began: “I feel Juventus are definitely ahead of us, but we play in front of our home fans on Saturday night and they can be a big help for us. It would have been better to play this game later in the season - they’re a side oozing with quality and haven’t conceded a goal in Serie A since late April.”
Confidence is high in the Rossoneri camp after their Serie A campaign began with back-to-back wins for the first time in eight years, yet the 41-year-old, who enjoyed a successful four-year playing spell with Juventus, feels there is a while to go before his men can be considered genuine title contenders.
“I need to be realistic: we can’t think about the title yet. After working with this set of players for a couple of months, I now know what level they are at. We need to carry on the good work so far and see how we’re set at the end of December.”
The 41-year-old also had a word to say on his opposite number Massimiliano Allegri, who makes his return to the San Siro for the first time since the turn of the year.
“Allegri is an experienced manager and he’ll make life difficult for us. He’s inherited a squad with quality and is doing well with them. I wish him all the best, but only after tomorrow evening’s game…”
Inzaghi ended his press conference with a fitness update on some of the key names at his disposal, revealing summer acquisition Fernando Torres could be in line for his Milan bow after sitting out the first two games through injury.
“Torres tried his hardest to be on the bench for Parma. Even though he has missed a few sessions, he seems up for it, as is El Shaarawy and I’m not surprised that Nigel de Jong’s condition has improved. We’re not the same Milan side that used to go into games without considering the opposition. We need to respect them.”
