Artemio Franchi

Last Game

Siena 1 - 2 AC Milan

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 19:45

Serie A

Allegri relieved to progress

Massimiliano Allegri was relieved after his AC Milan side qualified for the latter stages of the Champions League with one game to spare.

Last Updated: 22/11/12 at 11:18 Post Comment

Massimiliano Allegri: Knows his Milan side must do better

Massimiliano Allegri: Knows his Milan side must do better

The Rossoneri's 3-1 victory at Anderlecht means that they cannot be caught by either Wednesday night's opponents or Zenit St Petersburg, and will go through as runners up behind Group C winners Malaga.

Stephan El Shaarawy and a stunning Philippe Mexes bicycle kick put the Serie A side in control at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, and although the hosts were reduced to 10 men after Bram Nuytinck saw red, Tom de Sutter's strike 12 minutes before time brought the Belgian side back into the contest.

Substitute Alex Pato netted in added time to seal the win and their progression, however Allegri knows his team were far from perfect.

"We did well even if at the end we suffered a bit, something that shouldn't happen," he told the club's official website.

"This is a step that the team has to take, improving in possession of the ball.

"I'm happy for the team and the club which has achieved the first target of the season with a game in hand. It was important not to get to the last match with it all to play for against Zenit.

"We need more experience which we'll get as we're young."

And Allegri praised two of his goalscorers and was surprised to see Mexes' effort end up in the back of the net.

"When Mexes took that shot, I thought it went wide but he scored," the boss added.

"He was criticised harshly after Fiorentina and in the last two games he has played very well. Pato took a knock but it shouldn't be anything serious.

"This was a good game for him to come off the bench and he showed that. In the changing rooms, I simply said that maybe I hadn't explained myself."

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Champions League final: Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says side can bounce back

Jurgen Klopp is backing Borussia Dortmund to reach another Champions League final despite their defeat to Bayern Munich.

Champions League final: Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben relieved by Wembley win

Bayern Munich hero Arjen Robben admitted winning the UEFA Champions League buried his previous demons.

Champions League final: Mats Hummels salutes Bayern Munich after Wembley win

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels admitted Bayern Munich deserved to be crowned champions of Europe.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved