Allegri eyes fourth spot

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has spoken about the importance of earning a win over Chievo in Serie A on Saturday.

Allegri’s struggling side sit 12th on 11 points but could lift up to as high as seventh if other results go their way.

He said a victory was crucial to his team’s chances of eventually moving into the top four, where he wants them to be.

“I believe tomorrow’s match is even more important than the match against Genoa,” Allegri said on Friday.

“We had to win the match against Genoa – first of all to move away from the bottom of the table then because we had won only one other home match against Cagliari.

“On top of that we had scored only one goal in the five home matches, including the Champions League match.

“Tomorrow’s match is even more important because a win would allow us to climb further up the table and we wouldn’t be far from fourth position.”

Allegri has been criticised regularly throughout the start of the season, with his position at the helm coming into question.

The 45-year-old said he only changed his formation when necessary – due to injuries and wanting to deploy his players in their right positions.

“I don’t change the formation for fun. We don’t have much time to work but the players pick up everything quickly,” Allegri said.

“If I have two wide players in (Urby) Emanuelson and (Stephan) El Shaarawy, it’s obvious that we have to change our system of play.

“And of course injuries to (Kevin-Prince) Boateng, Robinho and (Alexandre) Pato forced me into making certain choices.”