Milan discard defensive approach for Barca
Reuters - Tuesday 27 March 2012, 13:55
AC Milan have discarded the possibility
of adopting a defensive approach when they face free-scoring
Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final, coach
Massimiliano Allegri said Tuesday.
Milan's city rivals Inter Milan, at the time led by Jose
Mourinho, managed to beat Barcelona over two legs two seasons
ago with the help of ultra-cautious tactics but Allegri implied
that was not his team's style.
"It's difficult for us to play a match in the style of
Mourinho's Inter, they were a more physical side," Allegri,
whose side host the European champions at San Siro in
Wednesday's first leg, told reporters.
"We will face Barcelona with courage, motivation and
serenity... We have to try and make as few mistakes as possible
and play with an attacking mentality."
Allegri suggested that striker Robinho, who has been out of
action for two weeks with an ankle injury, could be fit in time
to start the game but said that right-back Ignazio Abate - a key
player throughout the season - had been ruled out.
"We will have to evaluate the condition of Robinho, but we
also have Maxi Lopez and Stephan El Shaarawy," he said.
"I have my solutions for the defence," he added, referring
to the injury to Thiago Silva, the linchpin of the central
defence, who limped out of Saturday's win against AS Roma in the
first half having been passed fit to play.
"I took a decision," said Allegri. "If he hadn't started and
we had played badly, I'd be criticised for that as well."
Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic was inevitably asked about his
relationship with Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola following his
acrimonious departure from the Nou Camp 18 months ago.
"Will I extend my hand to Guardiola? I don't know, we've
other things to think about. It's not a big problem, I'll do my
thing and he'll do his," the Swede said
"There's no time to think about the past."