AC Milan vs Chievo preview - Allegri wants more of the same

Posted Tuesday, October 30, 2012 by PA

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri feels his team must continue to show the sort of spirit and competitive edge they did in the weekend's 1-0 win over Genoa, pointing to the efforts of forward Stephan El Shaarawy as a good example for others to follow.

El Shaarawy earned the Rossoneri only their third victory from nine Serie A fixtures this term with the winning goal in a tense contest against his former club at the San Siro on Saturday.

It is the 20-year-old Italy international's defensive work, though, which has been highlighted by Allegri, who was pleased overall with the committed nature of his side's display against Genoa but has stressed that more of the same is required.

Speaking ahead of Milan's game at Palermo, Allegri told the Milan Channel: "Stephan is doing well.

"He shows the example that in order to play football we also need spirit. He defends like the others.

"To win games all players must always make themselves available, regardless of their quality. This is true for all teams.

"Our team must continue to play now with the competitive nastiness they showed on Saturday.

"The boys were good without risking anything, other than a few episodes with (Milan defender) Cristian Zapata.

"We were not in too much of a hurry. After we went ahead, we held on to the ball well.

"We need to improve in many areas, but the performance was good."

Milan are 12th in the table at the moment and 17th-placed Palermo might well think there has never been a better time to play them at home.

The Sicilian outfit's coach Gian Piero Gasperini is certainly not about to take the assignment lightly, though.

Gasperini - whose side have just one win to their name this season and have drawn against Genoa, Torino and Siena in their last three games - said: "It is always difficult to deal with AC Milan.

"Compared to the last few teams we have played, they will certainly be tough opponents.

"We have shown good things but had some difficulties too. Milan have also had some difficulties, but this is certainly a different team to Siena and Torino.

"We are playing at home, so we have to focus on trying to get three points."