Milan have to play with spirit, says Allegri

Posted Sunday, August 25, 2013 by Foxsports.com

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri was a disappointed man after his side let their lead slip to lose 1-2 to Hellas Verona in the teams' Serie A game.

Newly promoted side Hellas Verona looked set to taste defeat in their first Serie A game in 11 years after Andrea Poli put AC Milan ahead during the 14th minute. However, former Juventus player Luca Toni had other plans, as he headed Verona level minutes prior to half-time, before securing a shock victory with another header in early in the second period.

Allegri admitted to the club's official website that his team deserved to lose after squandering the lead to a team that clearly wanted three points more.

"We played a bad game technically and temperamentally. We played well in the first 15 minutes, then we revived a team that had conceded a goal and then was able to play for 80 minutes and deserved to win," he pointed out.

"Hopefully after this result we need to understand that to fight for certain goals you have to have a different spirit."

Citing opposition goal-scorer Toni as an example, Allegri expressed hopes for the Rossoneri to emulate the veteran forward's attitude.

"Congratulations to Luca Toni, who fought like a lion for 95 minutes between the two central defenders and he is 36 years, and this must serve as an example to our young players," he said.

"You can lose but you have to play with a different spirit."

AC Milan welcome PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday for the second leg of their crunch Champions League play-off tie.