Allegri reveals red card comment and Rabiot ‘makes difference’ for AC Milan

Max Allegri reveals what he said to get sent off during the chaotic finale of AC Milan’s victory over Lazio and why Adrien Rabiot ‘makes the difference’ for his team.

It was a difficult first half, as Mike Maignan kept the clean sheet with big saves on Mario Gila’s header and a Mattia Zaccagni angled drive.

However, the Rossoneri broke the deadlock after the restart with a well-worked team move finished off by Rafael Leao from six yards.

The tension erupted in stoppages when both Allegri and Lazio assistant manager Marco Ianni were sent off from the touchline during the VAR On-Field Review.

Ultimately, a penalty was not given because Adam Marusic fouled Strahinja Pavlovic before the handling offence.

“It was a bit chaotic in the final minutes, but it was not easy for the referee either to make this decision when he was called by VAR,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

What did the coach say to get himself sent off even before any decision had been made?

“It was the same referee as the opening game when we lost to Cremonese, so I just said how come every time with him there’s a problem? So he sent me off. In the chaos, it’s only natural he would make that decision, but I certainly didn’t mean to offend him.

“As for the match itself, we had some difficulties at the start because Lazio pressed hard, and while they keep that kind of tempo, they close off all your passing channels. It means you have to make riskier passes and can lose it, so we didn’t do that well.

“In the second half, we raised our tempo and theirs fell a little, so we had other favourable opportunities along with the goal.”

The result does put Milan temporarily top of the table, and they could stay there because tomorrow Napoli and Roma go head-to-head.

It was put to Allegri that in the last decade only twice have the Diavolo been top of the table after 13 rounds, finishing first and second in those seasons,” replied the coach.

“We’ve just got to keep working, maintaining this humility and desire to win the ball back, to play as a team unit. There is good enthusiasm within the squad and with the fans. They give their all and don’t hold back, that is the most important quality we need to keep going.”

Is Rafael Leao gradually learning to be a Number 9 in this new role?

“Leao was already a centre-forward playing for Lille, he had a good header on target today. When the ball comes from wide, he has started making those runs towards the box, but he also has the option to move around in various attacking positions.”

With Adrien Rabiot in the starting XI, Milan have almost a perfect win record, so was his importance undervalued?

“Compared to the last season I worked with him at Juventus, Adrien has improved so much,” confessed Allegri.

“He has this physicality, is tactically very intelligent, and also a team player. In order to create a team that challenges for the top, you need team players who put themselves at the disposal of the others. I have lots of players who put that passion into the game and it makes the difference. Adrien also has an engine like few others in midfield.”