Sports

UEFA Champions League : We need to be perfect, says Allegri

AC Milan coach urges players to perform at their best against La Liga giants.

Afp October 21, 2013

Barcelona will make their fourth visit to the San Siro in as many seasons, having accounted for the Italians in the group stages in 2011, in the quarter-finals in 2012 and in last season’s last 16 knockout phase. PHOTO: AFP

MILAN: Only a ‘perfect’ AC Milan will allow the depleted Serie A giants to emerge with an ‘important’ result from their Champions League Group H clash with Barcelona, said coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Barcelona visit the San Siro tonight and are widely expected to capitalise on the Rossoneri’s domestic woes to secure their third successive win in the group having already beaten Ajax (4-0) and Celtic (1-0).

Having seen his side routed 4-0 in the second-leg at the Nou Camp last March, Allegri admitted it would require a perfect performance to score an upset against Gerardo Martino’s team.

“It will be a very difficult match,” said the Italian coach. “We need to be perfect if we are to get an important result.”

Striker Mario Balotelli, who won and scored a late penalty against Ajax to secure a draw last time out, and number one goalkeeper Christian Abbiati are among six players missing through injury.

Milan had hoped for Balotelli to return in time for Udinese following a three-game league ban but he was diagnosed with a thigh problem shortly after Italy’s final World Cup qualifier against Armenia.

Wenger wants more from on-song Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that he expects his in-form team to get even better, ahead of tonight’s encounter with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Arsenal hit the heights in their 4-1 defeat of Norwich City on Saturday as they moved clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Wenger’s side have won 10 and drawn two of their 12 games since losing 3-1 to Aston Villa on the opening day of the season, but the Frenchman feels that there is more to come from his side.

“We have room for improvement, and being in the position we are in at the moment and knowing we have room for improvement is of course a good feeling,” said Wenger.

“We know we are a team that looks like being successful — for that you need a special hunger and I believe these players have a special hunger.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2013.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.