AC Milan vs Novara Calcio preview - Allegri demands winning end

Posted Sunday, May 13, 2012 by PA

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has stressed the importance of ending the campaign with a win ahead of his side's final game against Novara.

The Rossoneri, who will finish runners up, are eager to bounce back from last weekend's 4-2 defeat at Inter Milan.

That loss in the Milan derby left them with 77 points from 37 games, four points behind champions Juventus with one game left in the current campaign.

"I would like my team to finish with 80 points," Allegri said. "The last game we have is at home and we have to do the best we can in front of our own fans in order to get to the end of two seasons with 162 points.

"Our only thought is to end the season with a win."

The Rossoneri had reason to be frustrated and disappointed by last weekend's result.

Only six weeks earlier, Milan had enjoyed a seven-point lead over Juve at the top of the standings and looked like a team that could go on to defend the title.

However, it took unbeaten Juve just two weeks to reclaim the lead.

"Juventus have had a great year and they have deserved the league title because they have done so by taking many points," Allegri said.

"I thought that, with respect to last year, more points would be needed to win the scudetto and that was the case.

"I'm sure next year we will be again fighting for the title."

The game will be Alessandro Nesta's last with the Rossoneri colours.

The veteran defender confirmed this week he will leave Milan this summer after 10 years at the club.

The former Italy international is set to move to Major League Soccer.

Novara play their last Serie A match for the foreseeable future, with the club having already been relegated to the second tier.

Attilio Tesser's side go into the encounter at the San Siro on the back of a 3-0 triumph over Cesena, their seventh win of the campaign which left Novara in 19th place.

Despite a disappointing season, Tesser is expected to remain at the club next term.