Allegri Defends Pavlovic and Signals a Midfield Shuffle as Milan Prepares for Fiorentina

Allegri Defends Pavlovic as Milan Eyes Fiorentina

In the wake of Milan's 1-1 draw with Genoa, Massimiliano Allegri defended Pavlovic after a moment that disrupted a potential late winner, stressing that the focus should shift to the upcoming Fiorentina fixture.

Pavlovic's misstep came during a tense stretch of the game, and Allegri indicated that one point is not the end of the world when a big test lies ahead.

Modric Likely to Start on the Bench; Rotation in the Air

Allegri said Modric is unlikely to start, with four forwards available—two on the bench and two set to begin. Ricci and Gashari are described as excellent, reliable options who could feature, and the Croatian veteran may remain among the substitutes.

“We have recovered well. Fiorentina are back to their usual form. The team's position does not reflect its true value. After beating Cremonese and drawing with Lazio, we face tough competition. That point against Genoa will be important,” he added.

“Ricci and Gashari are excellent players. Ricci has logged a lot of minutes, and I am very happy with him. With four closely spaced matches, we might see more changes,” he explained.

“When you play only one game a week, rotating regulars becomes harder. Gashari has a bright future, Ricci has been very useful; I don't know who I will choose, or perhaps both will play.”

In the Genoa game, Genoa missed a stoppage-time penalty, and Allegri noted that De Rossi, Genoa's coach, has strong potential, but the key is Milan's success in their campaign. “That is part of the beauty of football,” he said. “Moments like this make you smile when you recall them later.”

Responding to De Rossi's claim that Milan would behave differently, Allegri remarked, “I don't comment on what others say. Daniele is relatively new to coaching and has great potential to succeed; what's important for him and everyone is to thrive in their football careers.”

Also, he hinted at the upcoming match against Fiorentina as a stern test, underscoring the need for a strong technical and physical display while acknowledging the challenge posed by a resurging opponent.

Two light notes to close: Milan's midfield can rotate more than a carousel, and Allegri’s bench may have more guests than a family barbecue. If Modric doesn’t start, at least Milan can claim they gave the future a ride on the bench—best seat in the house, right next to the popcorn.