Allegri: We've to stay alert and focused against Anderlecht

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has told his players to put their domestic poor run behind them and focus on their Champions League opener with Anderlecht.

The Italian giants have lost two games at home in the Serie A this season. They lost to Sampdoria and Atalanta.

In the press conference on Monday, the coach said: 'Let's not be victims here, now the important thing is to win the first Champions League match. Winning is the only thing that counts in football and we haven't started well this season althhough we do have one more point than this time last season. Against Sampdoria and Atalanta we created chances up front and were punished at the back on their first chance.
We have to do more, starting from tomorrow. The champions League is tougher and we face a side that has plenty of European tradition. We have to be patient because sooner or later we will create chances.

I am very hopeful because I think the team are ready to face an important game like the one against Anderlecht that has two very strikers up front. We have to stay alert and focused because we will have to work hard to win the game.

Last season we struggled against Bate and Viktoria Plzen but the Belgian side are stronger, they playe better so it won't be easy. I have thought about changing tactics but there just wasn't enough time to do so. We may change something later on but for the moment westay as we are.

I spoke to president Berlusconi and was calm about the situation and is close to the team. I have a great relationship with Galliani although the newspapers say otherwise. The side has changed a lot since last season and we need time and even I didn't think we would lose two home games in a row without scoring. So things are a little tougher now but even this time last season we only had five points and we did better.

We are good enough to fight for the title but now we have to think about the Champions League.

Every team goes through some bad patches but we must not get too negative. We must have the desire to turn it around. Sometimes a team can also win without playing very well.

We have some good players that are good at one-on-ones out injured and this makes things harder in the last 20 meters. Montolivo will not be available tomorrow, he will be back for the game against Udinese.

Tomorrow is a fundamental game, we have to lay down the foundations to get past the group stage. Let's hope we improve in a very short space of time. I take full responsiblity for the results but we have to believe in ourselves and start well in Europe.'


Sept. 17, 2012.