MAX ALLEGRI has again said that he was pleased with the performance against Ajax and is undecided ahead of Juve.

Milan can find themselves eleven points away from the second place, which brings you directly to the Champions League group stage, should they lose to reigning champions Juventus on Sunday evening and they’re not favourites to win.

It’s been a while since Milan won in a convincing fashion and on Tuesday they managed to take just one point from the Amsterdam Arena against a relatively average Ajax side. But Allegri believes his boys did well then and waits for Juventus.

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“In the club’s history, Ajax, has always been a dangerous adversary. I was very happy with the team’s performance on Tuesday. We played tidy football and risked almost nothing. We played well in the second half and it was the opposite of what happened against Eindhoven,” the Milan coach told the media during today’s press conference at the Milanello center.

“The two players that had the most possession in that game were Ajax’s two central defenders. Then team followed instructions well. I knew we’d be criticized for the performance but I was happy after the match. Maybe we could have played a bit farther forward but the team did what I told them. Everyone always wants to see us dominate the game but in football you can’t always do that.” Allegri’s plan in the 1st half was to give Ajax plenty of possession and they had 73% of it.

“Tomorrow will be a very tough match. Juventus will be angry after the Galatasaray draw and after the unjustified criticisms. They deserved a lot more on Wednesday. We’ll have to play a different game as it’s a different match. The Bianconeri are still favorites for the title and they are also the favorites to win the match tomorrow. They’re tough and experienced, the same as they were last season. They’re not in crisis. Tuesday was only one match and we’ll have to be attentive,” Allegri added.

“We’ll have to burn a lot of energy but I expect a fantastic spectacle. The result can depend on many factors. It’s no exam even if it is a fascinating match. There’s an 8 point gap in the league although we’ve the chance to get back up the table.

“It’s the last match before the break and luckily we’re at the end of a tough and tiring period. We haven’t had many players available lately. We’ll have to play intense football though and be very careful. We’ll get a lot of players back after the break. El Shaarawy and Kakà we’ll have to see about but all the other players should return. Silvestre, Bonera, Mattia De Sciglio and Birsa will be ready for the match against Udinese. Riccardo Saponara will be in the squad that goes to Turin. Saponara’s role at Milan will be the trequartista role. He has great technical qualities. He has to grow without any pressure.

“Pazzini has to have some tests but he should be back soon too. Kakà might be back for the match against Barcelona. I haven’t decided how we’ll line out yet. Robinho and Matri up front are certainties and playing with three forwards is a possibility but it’s a tough one to see happening. Riccardo Montolivo might play out wide or maybe not. I haven’t decided about him. With three forwards, Montolivo will play in midfield three but with two forwards, he’ll play behind the front two.

“Matri has to keep calm. He’s been unlucky lately but the work he does for the team is really essential. He’s a different forward to the others we have in the team. Him and Niang are troublesome for defenders because they attack space well. Matri has had a lot of chances and he has to get better in front of goal. He came with a lot of enthusiasm but also pressure as well. The goals will come if he keeps working. He has always scored in his career. He’s doing a lot for the team right now.

“There’s more balance in the league this year. the top teams have all been strengthened and we have to find continuity in our results. Roma is a top three team and I wouldn’t call them a surprise. They’ve sold great players but bought solidly as well. They’ll be contenders. They concede little and they score a lot. Inter is no surprise either. Without European football, they prepare well for their matches. Walter Mazzarri is doing well and they’ll be there or thereabouts for the league.

“Balotelli getting called up for the national side? It is a positive thing. He just needs to focus on his football and not getting hysterical. If he does that we’ll all be better off. Him, Milan and the national side. I’m happy with him. He played well on Tuesday and behaved normally.” The Juventus match is Balotelli’s last match suspended, he’ll be available after the break.

Allegri has also confirmed in the presser that Milan won’t give special attention to Pirlo or Bonucci “so there will be more entertainment” and said that “Conte is a great coach, and he is the most successful one in Italy in the last two years.”