Allegri plays down Juve fixture

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has played down the importance of his side’s match against title rivals Juventus on Saturday.

The Serie A champions host Juve at San Siro looking to increase their one point lead on the Turin club, who trail Milan in second with a match in hand.

“I do not think the match will be decisive,” Allegri told reporters. “But it is normal that a victory from either side will break the balance in the league.”

“We are ready to play a great match against a side who deserved their position in the table, based on statistics.”

“They have the best defence in the competition and have not yet lost after 23 games.”

Allegri revealed that Kevin-Prince Boateng and Maxi Lopez have both been ruled out of the contest, while Alexandre Pato will make his first Serie A appearance since mid-January.

“I expect a convincing return (from Pato),” Allegri said. “He returns in an important match for the league.”

“He will also be very motivated to do well.”

The 44-year-old coach went on to reveal that his side are wary of the threat posed by Andrea Pirlo, who left Milan for Juventus in the off-season.

“That decision was made seven months ago, it is old news,” Allegri said. “He is doing well at Juve, but I had no doubt about his quality.”

“He is a reference for Juventus. We will try to limit his actions.”

Questioned on the Lega Calcio’s decision to reject Milan’s appeal to shorten Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s three-match ban, Allegri said: “I took the news well in the sense that we cannot do anything about it.”

“It is a judicial decision and we have to calmly accept it.”