So is that what you want from me? A damn apology? To get on my knees and call Allegri the greatest coach ever? Is that what you want?
Unlucky....IT AIN'T HAPPENING! But what I will say though, is that what he has done with Juventus, despite the league being a bit...awkward....has to at least give him some props and offer somewhat of an apology to him.
SOMEWHAT......
Allegri was to blame for the beginning of a downward slope that Milan are still gracefully sliding down on. He was not prepared tactically to forge a team that could cope with the loss of Ibrahimovic. Defence was no problem for him, but with the French Chef in there and no real method of attack, and the bricks that he had around him...Milan fell apart. But you can put the blame on Berlusconi and Galliani not giving him funds to get players that could replace Ibra but at the end of the day, a competent manager works with what he has and makes adjustments all in the name of getting that result.
Once he got hired for Juventus, I shuddered, I laughed, I cried but I also rejoiced because in the video I ASSumed that Serie A would finally be competitive again. Allegri would bring his clueless self to Juventus, it won't work out, which would lead to an exciting title. race. But Allegri had other plans....and by some miracle and shock, some might even go as far as saying that Juventus look a lot stronger as a whole than when under Conte's stewardship. The defence is one of the toughest to break down in Europe and the attack just work a lot better as was shown when they gave Fiorentina the good old bottom-slap.
For a SECOND placed team to concede SEVEN goals against the first placed team in Germany is quite staggering and frightening.
I am man enough though, to at least give credit to someone who turns things around. Because I insulted the heck out of Allegri. I was ready to have him jettisoned to Mars and be stranded there for all eternity. As someone who adored Weah and grew up with the great Milan, my emotions ran high when I saw just how he had destroyed the club. But...there is always a but....as time has passed and I see the amazing job he is doing with Juventus and improving upon the stellar work that Conte had already done....perhaps it was wrong to put the blame solely on his shoulders. Surely, a club of AC Milan's stature deserve to have the best players in the team. The club does not deserve the clowns that found their way into that squad.
However, putting things back on the present and on Juventus; Allegri will ultimately be judged on just how well he does in the Champions League. That was always where Conte fell short as well as the Coppa Italia. The league is already wrapped up, so if Allegri can add that Cup and go deep into the Champions League, then already he would have done a better job than Conte in all his season with Juventus. And Juventus SHOULD reach the semis of the Champions League and Lazio will be a very tough match, but they will be the team you would put your cheddar on....especially if they have Carlito and Paul back in the team. Oh...and Andrea IS still Andrea...don't disrespect.
So Massimiliano, well done dear sir. You have proven that you ARE a good coach cut with the old-skool cloth of Italian coaching. You've made Juventus a very difficult team to play against, and you have the chance to try and salvage some much needed pride for Italian football who desperately need it right now with the world watching and UEFA perhaps considering only giving the league two spots now. This has the potential to be memorable season for Allegri, but there is work to be done, a lot of adjustments to be made....with a whole bunch of SCREAMING from the touchline as we can see the finishing line on yet another football season.
Peace and Stay Black,
HH
