13 May 2023
With the emotion of Thursday evening's dramatic draw with Sevilla in the Europa League still palpable inside the Allianz Stadium, Massimiliano Allegri sat down in the press conference room to present tomorrow's game against Cremonese.
The coach underlined that although the return leg of the European semi-final is on the horizon, the Bianonceri are completely focused on tomorrow's Serie A match.
SECOND TOP vs SECOND FROM BOTTOM
"Cremonese have been doing well. They would be out of the relegation zone considering the second half of the campaign. We are aware it will be a complicated match against a team that don't give much away at the back and are dangerous on the counter, but it's important for us to earn another three points. It would be a serious mistake to underestimate the match against Davide Ballardini's team - only after can we think about Sevilla."
TEAM TALK
"[Paul] Pogba's condition is improving. He knows he needs lots of game time to get back to his best but the main thing is that he is available, even if for only one half or 30 minutes. [Mattia] Perin will play tomorrow, while Bremer is fit and well, as is [Adrien] Rabiot."
500 NOT OUT
"Leo [Bonucci] is an intelligent lad and will choose what's best for his future. The other day he reached a historic milestone, which few have done. I am proud and happy to have worked with him all these years, even despite the occasional disagreement. Although he's had these niggling injuries he has always been present and when asked to play despite not being at his best, he has always made himself available to the team."
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
“We are doing a good job with the youngsters from a technical and tactical point of view. No matter the age you have to arrive on the pitch with the desire and determination to want to improve. We are second in the standings and this has been no easy achievement, especially considering everything that has happened.
"The other day against Sevilla the team did well in stoppages to manage the situation and look for the best opening to equalise. At that moment, after the Rabiot episode, we could have lost our shape and maybe conceded a second goal. Instead, all the things that have happened to us this year we have transformed into opportunities. Now over these last three weeks we have to earn the most we can."
