Allegri hopes Cassano repays Milan faith

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has issued a plea to wantaway forward Antonio Cassano to continue playing for his side next season.

The San Siro outfit have decided to cash in on several senior players this year, as key duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva have moved to Paris Saint-Germain.

And the departure of the pair has reportedly cast doubts in Cassano’s mind about the club’s ambitions or ability to challenge for silverware this season.

A switch to city rivals Inter has recently been touted as a possible solution, according to the Italian media.

“There are 15 days left to the end of the market, and we’ll see what happens,” Allegri said at a press conference. “Antonio is our player, and (he) can certainly do well here.

“Cassano is our player and a professional, and has to work to give his best in training. We’ve done plenty for him in the last year – from awaiting his return from heart surgery to nursing (him) back to fitness for Euro 2012.

“I’ve confirmed to him that he is an important player whose technique can help us. We’ve always shown our full interest in keeping him here, although it’s important he’s staying voluntarily, convinced of our project.”

Despite winning the Serie A in his debut campaign on the Milan bench, Allegri’s side lost out to Juventus last season.

The 45-year-old coach has no doubts who will enter the season as favourites to clinch the prize again.

“Juventus are favourites for this season’s Scudetto, and are a cut above Inter, Roma, Napoli and ourselves,” Allegri said.

“We, admittedly, have to adapt to the loss of Ibrahimovic and Silva, without losing sight of the objectives for a strong side such as ourselves – fighting to emerge in the top three of Serie A.”

Milan host newly promoted Sampdoria in their league opener on August 26.