Chievo vs AC Milan preview - Allegri facing uncertain future

Posted Sunday, November 10, 2013 by PA

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is facing an uncertain future ahead of his side's game at bottom-placed Chievo on Sunday.

The Rossoneri go into the encounter at the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium having endured their worst start to the Serie A season in 31 years.

Last weekend's 2-0 reverse at home to Fiorentina was Milan's fifth league loss and dropped the Rossoneri to 11th in the standings with 12 points from 11 games.

Wednesday's 3-1 defeat at Barcelona in the Champions League extended Milan's winless run to five games and piled further pressure on Allegri.

"I don't want to talk about my future," Allegri said to www.acmilan.com.

"I am not worried, I'm only eager like my players to win a game having lost our last two matches. I need everyone to step up their game.

"We are going through a negative time and we just have to be strong and get over it."

Milan have found the net just twice in their past three games and to complicate matters for Allegri, Italian striker Mario Balotelli will miss this weekend's game through suspension.

Rivals Chievo are also in desperate need of a victory having collected just one point in their past seven matches.

Sunday's goalless result at Bologna halted a six-match losing streak for Giuseppe Sannino's side and left the Verona outfit at the foot of the standings with five points so far.

"We have great respect for Milan," Sannino said.

"We will go out determined to secure a win but aware we face a team that is going through a delicate time but have a lot of quality."

Lack of goalscoring has been Chievo's biggest problem this season with the Verona outfit having found the net seven times so far.

Chievo are without defender Claiton and midfielder Simone Bentivoglio, both sidelined with muscular injuries.

Alessandro Matri is set to partner Kaka and Robinho in Milan's attack.