Fabregas: ‘Allegri is the Number One’ at explaining football to players

Cesc Fabregas explains what he admires most about Max Allegri, as Como host his star-studded Milan this evening. ‘I think Allegri is the absolute Number One in that sense.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Verona vs. Bologna on the Liveblog.

These are the rescheduled Week 16 fixtures, moved from December due to the Supercoppa Italiana commitments.

While this is seen as a huge opportunity for Milan to keep up with leaders Inter, the fact remains a victory here would send Como to within two points of Roma and Juventus in joint fourth.

“Last night, Albacete beat Real Madrid, so anything can happen in football,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.

“There are obviously games where you are playing against the best teams, the strongest players, the greatest coaches, but that is when you need to push harder and play with courage, be a family, all work together with the same mentality.

“If any one of those elements is missing, then it’s always going to be a tough match.”

When he was a player, did Fabregas find it frustrating to face the kind of tactical approach provided by Allegri at Milan?

“Yes, obviously. I really like it when he talks about simplicity in football. Speaking with Morata, I had the same idea, total simplicity,” continued the coach.

“At times, we coaches can give so much information to players that we drive them crazy. I think Allegri is very good at expressing himself, always with the right ideas, presented clearly.

“This is very important for me, especially when you are a player of Milan’s level. Obviously, we work in a different way at Como, with younger players who are still learning.

“When you’re training Modric, Rabiot and Fofana, players with immense experience, you have to deal with things differently. I think Allegri is the absolute Number One in that sense.”

Lucas Da Cunha is the Como player who Fabregas cannot seem to do without, along with Nico Paz, and is the unsung hero of this team.

“Da Cunha is the Number 8, that player who bonds the defence and attack, who gives you consistency in any situation,” explained the coach.

“He moves well between the lines and out wide. He improved with me and I improved as a coach working with him. He knows my football to perfection and there is a lot of trust there.

“He’s like a soldier for me, he never misses a training session, he always has the right attitude. He was a left-sided winger a year ago, but has improved so much in this midfield role.”