Allegri unfazed by derby defeat

AC Milan coach Massimilliano Allegri dismissed the importance of his team’s 1-0 derby loss to local rivals Inter Milan on Sunday.

Reigning champions Milan went down to a Diego Milito goal in the 54th minute of the showdown at San Siro, meaning Juventus finish the round top of the Serie A standings.

But the title-holders remain just one point back in second place, with Allegri unconcerned about the immediate consequences of the defeat.

“I don’t think this changes anything,” he said.

“This weekend the two joint leaders managed a point between them, so little really changed. What did happen is that we lost the derby and Inter are back in the Scudetto race.”

Allegri made little attempt to hide his contempt for what he perceived to be a lack of ambition shown by Milan’s opponents.

“If you look at the game, Inter just waited to strike on the counter-attack and played with 10 men behind the ball, so it wasn’t easy for us to find space,” he said.

“We had to score early or face a brick wall.”

“We could’ve scored many times, but instead were caught on the counter-attack.”

“We had a few chances to equalise, but weren’t sharp enough and the goalkeeper performed some fine saves. Ultimately Milan played and Inter defended.”

Allegri was also quizzed about the transfer saga involving Alexandre Pato and Carlos Tevez.

A proposed move to bring Tevez to Milan reportedly fell through after Pato turned down a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

According to some reports, the attempt to offload Pato came after a falling out between Allegri and the player.

But the coach rejected the suggestion, insisting Tevez was meant as a replacement for long-term absentee Antonio Cassano.

“I didn’t make the decision on Pato,” he said.

“It was a club decision to keep the boy.”

“But I never said that I wanted to sell Pato because Tevez would have replaced (Antonio) Cassano and was not a replacement for Pato.”

“I cannot tell you if Tevez could still arrive.”