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Allegri: "We have to put in a strong display"

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Allegri: "We have to put in a strong display"
Allegri: "We have to put in a strong display"
Allegri: "We have to put in a strong display"

“We'll be playing in front of 70,000 people with the whole world watching on. We must perform well both technically and physically”Massimiliano Allegri is confident his team will bounce back from their defeat to Manchester United with a strong showing against AC Milan on Sunday.“I can't tell you what the result will be but I'm sure we'll produce a great performance tomorrow because we have every incentive to do so,” the boss told the gathered media ahead of the weekend's big match at the Meazza.“Games between Milan and Juventus are always evenly matched. We're going to be playing in front of 70,000 people with the whole world watching on. We must perform well both technically and physically. “AC Milan are in excellent form as they've only lost one of their last six games – in the derby and in the last minute.”

MANCHESTER UNITED ANALYSIS

Allegri looked back on Wednesday's match at Allianz Stadium. “We were all annoyed after the game. We'd forgotten what it feels like because we hadn't lost since April. We played well yet lost and that annoys me. People don't talk about the games you've played well in but the games you've won. “Our only mistake was not coming to terms with conceding an equaliser. We let our emotions get the better of us. A draw may have felt like an injustice then and there but we needed to keep our cool. We weren't going to win the Champions League on Wednesday – it was just a step along the way. A draw would have made sure of our place in the next round and all but secured top spot. When you can't win a match you must at least make sure you don't lose. “We have to remember that matches are never over until they're over, especially in the Champions League. Sometimes taking a step back can help you take two steps forward.”

SHARPER SHOOTING

Despite recording their first defeat of the season, the Bianconeri have made an excellent start to the campaign yet continue to create hatfuls of chances without seeing an adequate return in terms of goals.“The stats say that while we've won lots of matches we haven't spent many minutes with a two-goal advantage – and that means our games remain open. “Our shots-to-goals ratio is a little uneven. At the same stage last season we'd conceded two goals more and scored 31 times, compared to 24 this year, but then we had that 6-2 against Udinese. “It's only the 10th of November. There are another seven months left to play and there are lots of areas we can improve.”

HIGUAIN AND GATTUSO

Sunday's meeting at the San Siro will see Juve come face to face with Gonzalo Higuain for the first time since he joined AC Milan in the summer and Allegri had words of praise for the former Bianconeri striker – as well as Rossoneri boss Gennaro Gattuso.“Higuain gave Juventus so much. He was a key player for us and it will be nice to see him again tomorrow. A decision was taken and AC Milan got themselves a great player because Gonzalo is one of the best strikers in the world.“Rino is very resourceful and he's improved loads both on and off the pitch. He's a genuine guy who instils in his team values that are part of AC Milan's DNA and which he has himself. He's one of the best young coaches around.”

SPOILT FOR CHOICE

The boss also confirmed that he has a near full squad to choose from.“Everyone is available except Emre Can and [Leonardo] Spinazzola, who will play for the Primavera against Sassuolo. “We'll either play with three up front or with an extra winger. It's good that we have Douglas Costa and [Federico] Bernardeschi back, though [Juan] Cuadrado was excellent against Man United. We're in good shape. “[Mario] Mandzukic could play – he needed to recover mentally more than physically. Let's not forget that he played in the World Cup final. “The same goes for [Blaise] Matuidi. He could do with a week on the beach but with Emre Can unavailable I can't send him away. “Emre should be back in Turin next week. Hopefully he'll be available again soon because he has great technical and physical attributes.”

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