Allegri pleads for Milan calm

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has urged his league-leading side to remain calm as the Serie A season enters its final third.

Allegri has seen his side’s lead whittled away to just three points, courtesy of four draws in their last six league games.

Napoli are just three points adrift of Milan, while city rivals Inter are five in arrears but with a game in hand.

Ahead of Saturday’s hosting of Parma, however, Allegri has pleaded for calm – particularly with his side soon to resume its Champions League campaign.

“We are going through the most important and delicate period in Serie A because from tomorrow onwards the championship is at stake,” he said.

“We have to play in the Champions League on Tuesday (against Tottenham), then Champions League second leg, a Serie A match and then a Coppa Italia game, so we’re at crucial points in all three competitions.”

“To make a mistake now would mean giving the advantage to our opponents. The situation should not make us nervous, we should remain focused.”

“We have to continue improving and remain calm, because I believe that’s the right way and continue working as we have up to now, with the same enthusiasm and dedication.”

Allegri is wary of a Parma side that has struggled for consistency and have won just once in seven games, but possess the attacking threats such as diminutive midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, veteran goalscorer Hernan Crespo and newly signed striker Amauri.

“They will definitely pose us some problems because Parma are a fast and strong team from a technical point of view,” he said.

“They are very well organized and both their midfielders and strikers score a lot of goals, players such as Giovinco, the two strikers or (Antonio) Candreva, who has improved a lot.”