Allegri happy to grind

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri admitted his side did not have it easy in their gritty 1-0 triumph over Cagliari on Thursday.

Milan moved further ahead at the top of the Serie A table after substitute Rodney Strasser grabbed the match-winning goal with just five minutes left.

With Cagliari 15th and just five points above the relegation zone, an easier victory may have been predicted, but Allegri was pleased to secure the three points.

“It’s a great result, especially because the goal came from Rodney Strasser, a lad from the youth academy,” Allegri said.

“It is another reason for the club to be proud, as it means we are working well. It was a struggle for this victory and we started the year the way we finished the last one.”

“The team proved today that when we want to, we can bring home the result even in difficult circumstances.”

Allegri gave Antonio Cassano his Milan debut during the match, with the new recruit managing a positive impact in a brief stay on the pitch.

Introduced as a substitute after 74 minutes, Cassano, signed from Sampdoria this month, set up the match-winning goal on his Milan debut but Allegri says there is still work to do.

“Cassano is not in shape yet, as he has only been training with us for a week. The important thing is that he carries on training.”

“Antonio can also play in the Champions League and we have many games ahead of us, so it’s crucial to have a wide range of stars to choose from.”

Allegri, a former Cagliari manager, also admitted it was a special occasion to return to the Stadio Sant’Elia.

“I continue to have many important emotional bonds here. It’s a shame for my former players, but we needed the victory today.”

After Napoli’s loss at Milan’s city rivals Inter, Allegri’s men now top the Serie A by five points.