Admin
AC Milan manager, Massimiliano Allegri, has urged his players to maintain mental discipline ahead of the new season.
Allegri made this plea following AC Milan’s emphatic 9-0 victory over Australian side Perth Glory in a pre-season friendly.
The match, which marked the end of Milan’s Asia-Australia tour, saw goals from Filippo Terracciano, Christian Comotto, Samuele Ricci, Yunus Musah, Samuel Chukwueze, and braces from Rafael Leao and Noah Okafor.
Chukwueze, who had not scored in nearly five months, returned to the starting line-up and found the net in the first half. The Nigerian winger had previously come off the bench for 27 minutes in Milan’s 4-2 win over Liverpool in Hong Kong.
Speaking to Milan TV after the match, Allegri said the team had enjoyed a productive tour but must shift focus as the new campaign approaches.
“We had 25 days of good training work and some good performances in these friendly matches. We are happy with what we did,” Allegri said.
“When we resume in Italy on August 5, we must think that this is where the season begins, and everything will change there.”
Milan had mixed results during the tour, losing 1-0 to Arsenal, beating Liverpool 3-2, and ending with a 9-0 win over Perth Glory.
“We’ve got to take one step at a time, not get too fired up when things go well, because there will be difficult moments, and in those times we must not get dragged into depression,” Allegri added.
“It is more about mental balance than tactical, knowing that a season is like a cruise over 38 matches and you need to keep the same pace throughout.”
Milan will return to Italy before playing two more friendly matches against Leeds United in Dublin and Chelsea in London before their first competitive match of the season, a Coppa Italia fixture against Bari on August 17.
Last season, Chukwueze made 26 Serie A appearances, including nine starts, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 918 minutes of action.
He has been linked with a move away from San Siro, with Fulham reportedly interested. Milan are believed to be open to offers as they look to offload wages and reinvest in the squad.
The post Allegri Urges Chukwueze, Other AC Milan Players To Maintain Mental Balance appeared first on Naija News.
