Allegri on Ibrahimovic Milan row: ‘I’ve had much worse discussions’

Max Allegri did not deny a furious argument with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, nor that missing Champions League football would be a failure for Milan. ‘I’ve had much worse discussions than this.’

The trip to Genoa kicks off at Marassi on Sunday at 11.00 UK time (12.00 CEST).

The Rossoneri have been in a training retreat since Thursday to prepare for the match, which was only given a final kick-off date and time on Thursday evening.

They slipped down to fourth place after just seven points from eight Serie A rounds and the pressure is on.

“It’s natural that there is disappointment and we are the first to feel that,” said Allegri in his press conference.

“I knew it would be difficult to secure a Champions League place, but we’ve good a good chance tomorrow against a team that is doing well. We require organisation, patience, and then we’ll see. The lads worked well and also had the opportunity to rest in these three days.”

Even when challenging for top spot with Inter, Allegri had said that merely being in the first four teams was the real objective.

Now Milan patron Gerry Cardinale admits anything less than Champions League football would represent a failure.

“It’s normal at Milan that you must be ambitious to aim for the maximum result,” responded the coach.

“I always say the result you get at the end of a long season is what you ultimately deserve. You can then analyse various problems and mistakes, but at this moment we need to be concentrated on tomorrow’s match.

“I was pleased with Cardinale’s words, I spoke to him recently and gave him my point of view of this season and the future of Milan, which is what everyone is really interested in. Milan are first and foremost, the club is above everyone and everything. The rest of us are just passing through.”

Focus on Genoa is going to be tricky, because the headlines are all about the tension behind the scenes at Milan, where CEO Giorgio Furlani is the subject of a protest from fans, and there are reports Allegri had a blazing row with special advisor Ibrahimovic.

“I am accustomed to always having a professional rapport, and dealing professionally with all the directors and owners,” replied Allegri when asked if he had argued with Ibrahimovic.

“Within meetings, not just this year, there have always been moments of confronting ideas where you could agree or not agree. But today we must focus all our energy on tomorrow’s game.”

It has been suggested that the split has Ibrahimovic and Furlani on one side, Allegri and director of sport Igli Tare on the other.

“Look, there are always going to be discussions within a company, one sees things in shades of white, another black, another red, but the important thing is that everyone works in the interests of that company.