Allegri tells Milan to snap out of bad mood

MILAN - Reuters

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri (R) instructs his players as Gianluca Zambrotta takes a throw-in. Milan is left behind Juventus in a close Serie A title race.

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has told his squad to snap out of its negative mood after it was knocked out of the Champions League and lost the Serie A leadership in the space of five days. 

Milan visits Chievo tonight while unbeaten Juventus, who snatched the lead from them at the weekend, is at home to third-placed Lazio tomorrow in one of the closest Serie A title races for years. 

Allegri yesterday clearly felt forced to make a rallying call after seeing his team fall a point behind Juve. 

“There is too much negativity around us, nothing is lost,” he told reporters, two days after a shock 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina at San Siro. “It’s over the top to say that Juventus are unbeatable and are going to finish off the championship. 

“The road is still long.”