Milan ready to celebrate – but work still to do

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has an eye on the Coppa Italia even with his team a point away from wrapping up the Serie A title.

With a trip to the Stadio Olimpico to face Roma on Saturday, a draw would see Allegri’s side seal the Scudetto with two games to play.

Allegri did not shy away from admitting he was also focused on Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final second-leg against Palermo.

“Tuesday’s game in Palermo will be very important seeing as it will allow us to reach the final,” he said.

“My decisions tomorrow will be made with the Cup game in mind, especially my choices in midfield.”

The first leg at the San Siro ended in a 2-2 draw, thanks to a 76th-minute equaliser from Dutch midfielder Urby Emanuelson.

Even though it is likely he will tinker with his line-up, Allegri said the sixth-placed Roma outfit should not be underestimated.

“We’ll be up against a side who will be very motivated to play an important game. They were a Scudetto contender themselves,” Allegri said.

“They have an important chance to reach the Champions League, especially after Lazio lost last weekend.”

“Roma are a strong team and Francesco Totti is in great form. To win, we’ll need to play the perfect game.”

“We need just a point and we may not even need that in the end. It will be an incredible feeling, an important satisfaction for this group.”

If Milan lose and Fiorentina upsets Inter Milan on Sunday, they will claim the title come the end of the weekend.

Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return from suspension and Allegri said he was confident of keeping the Swedish goal-scorer beyond this season.

“Ibrahimovic has a great desire to play and he needs to put in a great game. Ibra is back, but so too is Alexandre Pato from injury. I have all four strikers available to me,” Allegri said.

The complete Milan squad has been called up to celebrate if they do happen to claim the title on Saturday.