Allegri calls for Milan revival

The 46-year-old remains optimistic despite a poor start to the season, but knows his team have little time to waste if they are to replicate last season’s miraculous finish

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri insists they must start winning games if they are to have any hope of finishing in the top three.

With just three wins from their first 10 league games, the Rossoneri sit in 10th place in Serie A, 13 points adrift of the final Champions League spot.

But with key players like Kaka, Mario Balotelli and Stephen El Shaarawy on their way back from injury, Allegri knows now is the time to claw their way back into the race for third.

“We have to stay motivated because there are 28 games to go, and our goal is get a point more than last year,” he told reporters ahead of Saturday’s match against Fiorentina.

“Tomorrow we will have to start winning.

“We will have to improve on the road, because we have conceded 13 goals out of 17 and it is this that penalises us in the standings.”

Last season Milan edged out Fiorentina for third place by two points, but the Viola got the better of them in their two meetings, drawing 2-2 home, while winning 3-1 at the San Siro, but Allegri is not focused on last year’s results.

“Matches end and life goes on. I have put Fiorentina behind me. Last year was a good battle until the last minute so to recall what happened last year does not help.

“Tomorrow will be a beautiful game, we will be angry but they will be too, both teams want to win so we need to watch out.

“Fiorentina played a great match against Napoli. They are built to get into the top three, tomorrow we will have the opportunity to close things up a bit in the table.”

The 46-yar-old says his team must avoid the inconsistencies they have encountered this season, and remain focused for a full 90 minutes.

“We played well against Lazio until they scored goal. We had a bad 10 minutes which we could have handled better but there are a lot of matches to go so we will see where we get to.

“We are off the pace in the league, but we must not go through moments of euphoria as after the match against Barcelona and in moments of depression after the match with Parma.”