Allegri feels heat as Milan flops again

MILAN - Agence France-Presse

AC Milan’s coach Massimiliano Allegri gestures during a home game against Atalanta

Question marks over Massimiliano Allegri’s future as AC Milan coach began appearing in the media yesterday a day after the Rossoneri’s second home defeat of the season.

Milan, which begins its Champions’ League campaign against Belgian side Anderlecht tomorrow, suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Atalanta. It came three weeks after defeat to Sampdoria at the San Siro and a fortnight after Allegri’s side appeared to be on the mend with a 3-1 away win at Bologna courtesy of a Giampaolo Pazzini hat-trick.

Allegri’s relationship with club vice-president Adriano Galliani is said to be deteriorating and reports last week claimed club owner Silvio Berlusconi was beginning to take “more interest” in the club’s situation.
Corriere dello Sport said yesterday it was Milan’s worst start at home in 82 years, and that the defeat would create an even more “delicate” situation between Allegri and Galliani.

Milan lost the spine of the team earlier this summer after selling Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris Saint Germain, as well as seeing several established veterans retire.

Captain Massimo Ambrosini, who was substituted in the second half and was later seen talking with a frustrated Allegri, said their departure should be no excuse. “We need time to accept that this team has changed... but the fact they have left should not be an excuse,” said Ambrosini, one of several Milan players guilty of not converting chances.

Atalanta soaked up the pressure and stunned the San Siro when Luca Cigarini struck a 65th-minute winner past Christian Abbiati. Allegri believes his side’s problem is mental. “We must have faith in ourselves and play fearlessly,” he said.