Allegri hoping for more luck

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri says his side have been unlucky during their recent run of poor results.

Allegri’s side ended a run of three straight defeats at San Siro on Saturday thanks to a 1-0 win over Genoa but had little time to reflect on the result, as they must now turn their attention to a midweek Serie A clash with lowly Palermo.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Sicily, the former Cagliari boss claimed he never harboured any doubts about his players’ commitment and was adamant that results would soon go their way.

“The team always give 100 per cent,” Allegri said. “We have to improve in the last 30 yards (of the pitch) but it isn’t always easy.

“On Saturday, Genoa defended very well with 10 men behind the ball. We are not playing at all badly, we concede very little and let’s hope it continues that way.

“We will improve in the last third of the field as the players mature together. The strikers have a lot of goals in them and we just need to be a little luckier.

“In these moments of difficulty, the coach cannot panic. The game on Saturday could have finished a draw but the performance would still have been the same. In football, the only thing that matters is the result.”

Despite highlighting Milan’s profligacy, Allegri was quick to praise young forward Stephan El Shaarawy, who again proved to be Milan’s match-winner at the weekend with his seventh strike of the season.

“El Shaarawy is doing very well but he still has a long way to go and can still improve technically,” Allegri said. “He is a well-balanced lad. He helps out a lot in defence and is a quality finisher as he is demonstrating.

“He is in excellent shape at the moment and has lots of energy – he is just 20 after all.”

Allegri also confirmed the inclusion of injury-hit striker Alexandre Pato for the midweek clash.

“Pato will be starting the match tomorrow while (Kevin-Prince) Boateng has a problem with his Achilles tendon and hasn’t been called up but it is strictly an injury problem,” the 45-year-old said.

“(Christian) Abbiati is better but tomorrow (Marco) Amelia will once again start. (Sulley) Muntari is also doing well but it is too early for him to be playing competitive football.