Allegri 'Balotelli? No, I am happy with Pato'
In the run up to the match against Genoa, AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri said in a press conference: "In our home games against Juventus, Roma and Lazio we wasted too many chances, but against the Biancocelesti we defended quite well, allowing them only one shot on goal, at the end of the first half. Afterwards, they had no more shots, which means that we’ve improved. If in these three games we played well, but didn’t score, it’s just a coincidence. It’s always important to win, both for morale and for the standings. I expect an aggressive Genoa side tomorrow. We’ll need to be prepared mentally to read the game well. Playing in Genoa is never easy. I want to see an alert Milan tomorrow, because Genoa will try to not let us play our game. We’ll need to be focused and play well technically”.
On Pato: “There’s not only the championship, there’s also the Champions League, in which Cassano isn’t eligible to play. On Tuesday, I wouldn’t have taken off Pato if not for Bonera’s unjury and if Antonini hadn’t had his own problems with his thigh. Unfortunately, our substitutions are very often influenced by injuries. Yesterday I saw Pato train well, in good mood. There’s no Pato case. He’s young and even though he has extraordinary qualities, he still needs to improve a lot. He needs to work in tranquillity, because he has already scored 10 goals and after a long injury-layoff it’s not easy to play with consistency. The more time passes, the more chemistry he’ll develop with Ibra. They haven’t played much together so far. Then, compared to last season, Pato plays in a different role this year. Here at Milan, everyone has to try to improve and this goes for him as well. I see my most experienced players try to improve each and every day, he has to do same all the more so, considering that he’s very young. Balotelli? No, I coach Pato, I’m satisfied with him and I want to keep him”
