With the 9–0 thrashing of Perth Glory, Milan’s summer tour comes to an end. Massimiliano Allegri, speaking to the Club’s official channels, took stock of the work done so far. These were the words of the Livorno-born coach:
“We’ve done 20 days of good work since we started — actually, 25. We’ve had a good tour, good friendlies with good performances. We’ve worked well and we’re happy with what we’ve done. When we resume on the 5th in Italy, we’ll have to keep in mind that the season will begin and everything will change.”
On today’s match:
“The boys are working well and with enthusiasm, which is the most important thing. Above all, with great seriousness. Usually the last match of a tour is taken a bit lightly, but instead the boys did very well because they took it seriously. It had to be a good training session, it was meant to be a nice evening for sport in Australia, and we’re happy.”
What are the next steps?
“At this moment, we have to take it one step at a time, think game by game, and above all day by day. We have to work, as I’ve always said, calmly and with great balance. Not getting carried away when things are going well, because there will be difficult moments, and in those difficult moments we must be good at not being dragged into depression and self-sabotage.”
Is the difficulty more mental or physical? Allegri answered:
“It’s more on the mental side that you need to be good at maintaining balance, knowing that the league is a 38-match cruise where you have to travel at the same speed the whole way.”
How were you received over these days?
“We were welcomed very well and with great enthusiasm. There are many Milan fans here and tonight the stadium was nicely full. It was a lovely evening, a good training session, and we’re happy with how we’ve worked. Now we need to put this first month behind us and return to Italy. We’ll still have two friendlies, one in Dublin and one in London, and then we’ll have an important match — the Coppa Italia game.”
