Allegri calls for focused Milan

Posted Saturday, April 14, 2012 by ESPN

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has demanded full focus from his players ahead of their game against strugglers Genoa.

The Rossoneri go into the encounter at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium on the back of Tuesday's 1-0 triumph at Chievo that kept them second in the table, one point behind Serie A leaders Juventus with six games remaining.

"We have to win tomorrow [Saturday] and then we will see regarding the Scudetto," Allegri said. "We cannot afford to think about anything else but the game against Genoa."

Allegri feels his side has nothing to envy of Juventus.

"We have had a lot of injuries this season but we are nevertheless one point behind the lead," Allegri said. "Some people have considered our campaign to be a failure but that is not the case.

"We reached the Champions League quarter-finals only to be eliminated by Barcelona and we were knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the semi-final stages after losing in extra time.

"If Juve are doing great things this season, so are we."

Milan will be bolstered by the return of defender Daniele Bonera and midfielders Alberto Aquilani and Massimo Ambrosini from suspension.

Moreover, midfielders Djamel Mesbah and Mark van Bommel have recovered from muscular injuries.

Rivals Genoa are starting to feel the pressure with the team still far from assured of their Serie A status.

The Grifoni were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom side Cesena in the last round and that result left them just one place clear of the relegation zone.

Alberto Malesani's men go into this weekend's game knowing that anything but a win could see them drop to the relegation zone.

Genoa have not won since February 5 and are currently two points clear of 18th-placed Lecce.

"We have to show a lot of grit in our remaining games, starting against Milan," Genoa midfielder Davide Biondini said.

Genoa will have to show a vast improvement on defence if they are to surprise Milan with the Grifoni having the leakiest backline in the competition with 58 goals given away in 32 games.