Massimiliano Allegri insists his goal is to “stay at AC Milan as long as possible” amid speculation over his future at San Siro.
The Rossoneri coach has reportedly suffered a breakdown in his relationship with the club’s CEO Giorgio Furlani, against whom fans will protest during Sunday’s clash against Atalanta.
Allegri has guided Milan to third place in Serie A with three games remaining in his first season in charge, although speculation suggests he could leave at the end of the campaign.
The 58-year-old has also been linked with the vacant role in Italy, following the departure of Gennaro Gattuso, but is convinced his future lies with his current employers.
“This is not an issue I’ve thought about,” he told reporters during his pre-match press conference. “Right now Milan is the most important thing, for the next games and for the next season.
“We have worked with a lot of attention and dedication for 10 months. We must respect everyone who is available so that we can perform at our best. I don’t think about anything else, because my goal is to stay in Milan as long as possible.”
Although on course to return to the Champions League next season, Milan have only won one of their last five games in Serie A, while maintaining a lead of just three points over fifth-place Roma.
However, Allegri remains optimistic and also paid tribute to the Rossoneri fans.
“For now we can only thank you,” he said. “They have supported us since August 17 and the stadium has always been full.
“We have always felt their support and they will also do so tomorrow at a decisive moment of the season. We have a difficult game. We have had a good week of work and we will have to face Atalanta to try to win again, something we have not achieved at home for a long time.
“We must do and not talk. Atalanta is an excellent team and we will need an excellent performance to bring the result home.
“I’m not worried, you have to look at things positively. Normally, after a defeat like the one against Sassuolo, you tend to see things more negatively.
“Destiny is in our hands. The good thing about football is that 90 minutes can change everything. That said, tomorrow we will not mathematically be in or out of the Champions League.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
AC Milan – Rafael Leao
Leao will be making his 250th appearance in Europe’s big five leagues, recording 72 goals and 46 assists in 249 games so far.
The Portuguese winger born in 1999 is the youngest player with 70 or more goals and 45 or more assists in Europe’s five major leagues since his debut with Lille in the 2018-19 campaign.
Atalanta-Charles De Ketelaere
De Ketelaere has made 99 appearances in Serie A for Atalanta and is one of three players to have scored more than 20 goals and provided more than 20 assists (20 goals, 20 assists) in the last three seasons in the Italian top flight, alongside Leao (26 goals, 20 assists) and Christian Pulisic (31 goals, 20 assists).
However, the Belgian has not scored in the competition since January 10 (against Torino) and has only scored once in his last 25 Serie A games.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Milan have failed to win any of their last five Serie A games against Atalanta (D2 L3), after winning four of the previous five (D1).
Atalanta has avoided defeat in nine of its last 11 away games in Serie A against Milan (W4 D5), although since 1943 (three in a row) it had not won games of this type in succession.
However, La Dea have failed to win six of their last eight away games in the Italian top flight (D4 L2), while overall they have only managed 10 points in their last nine games in the division (W2 D4).
Meanwhile, the Rossoneri have scored just one goal in their last five Serie A games, fewer than any other team in the competition since the beginning of April.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
AC Milan – 45.2%
Tie – 26.8%
Atalanta – 28.0%