Massimiliano Allegri eyes big game in Madrid
AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has said that his team's clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League will be critical in their quest to qualify from Group G to enter the knock-out stage of the competition.
Milan, who travel to face Real on Tuesday, 19 October, have overcome AJ Auxerre but only managed to draw with Ajax Amsterdam in this year's tournament.
A win in Madrid would leave the Italians top of the group, while a defeat would see Real take off at the top of the group with three straight victories.
"Tomorrow's match is a really important match to overcome this round, that is our first target. It will be a really difficult game. We must play a perfect game and not go wrong so much," Allegri said ahead of the encounter.
The Real squad, led by new manager Jose Mourinho, is abundant in attacking talent, with Mesut Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain all available for the game.
Happy with Ronaldinho's new role
But Allegri, who presides over Brazilian trio Robinho, Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho as well as Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, said his team are just as capable of delivering in the final third of the pitch.
In particular, the manager said he was pleased with the role he has found for Ronaldinho, who has lately been deployed as a playmaker behind two centre forwards.
"Ronaldinho is doing very well in this playmaker role. He is moving very well on the pitch and fits well into the 4-3-1-2 system."
Allegri, who took charge of Milan ahead of the current season after impressing at Cagliari for two seasons, also emphasized that the game is not a strategic standoff between him and former Inter Milan boss Mourinho.
"It will be a duel between Milan and Madrid not Mourinho and me. There are players out on the field and Mourinho is shaping the squad in his image."
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