Allegri bemoans late Madrid equaliser
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
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Massimiliano Allegri described the closing stages of AC Milan's 2-2 draw with Real Madrid CF as "a real mess" after his team were denied a valuable Group G victory by Pedro León's late goal.
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AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri rued his side's finish to their UEFA Champions League Group G encounter with Real Madrid CF. Leading 2-1 courtesy of two strikes from substitute Filippo Inzaghi, the Rossoneri conceded an added time goal to Pedro León, leading Allegri to describe the closing stages as "a real mess". Opposite number José Mourinho − whose charges are through − was delighted by the way his team responded having initially taken the lead through Gonzalo Higuaín.
Massimiliano Allegri, Milan coach
A draw is the right result because Real Madrid had more chances in the first half, while the game was more even after the restart. To concede the second goal 30 seconds before full time was a real mess. This means that to win a certain kind of game we need to improve. I'm quite relaxed because the squad is good and I'm certain we'll fight until the end, both in Europe and in Italy.
I'm only a bit concerned because a victory would have allowed us to erase the bed feelings from Saturday's game [a 2-1 home loss to Juventus]. Inzaghi has been working very well since the start of the season but I have many forwards and I often have to leave him on the bench. He still has a lot to give to football. The only thing I would change about the game are the last 30 seconds.
José Mourinho, Madrid coach
It was a great game, with everything. We showed for more than an hour we are a great team playing great quality football. Overall I cannot say I'm too happy with the result because we should have killed them [off]. We had chances to kill the game, but when you are 2-1 down and you don't lose, you cannot be sad.
We've qualified, didn't lose and keep going without losing. We had the courage and the character to fight against a difficult situation. We need one point to finish first in the group. That is important this season because it looks like all the best teams are going to finish first in their groups. I love to play here in Milan because the fans support their team and push a lot. Everyone who participated in the game should be proud because it was a European classic.
