Massimiliano Allegri, the coach of AC Milan, clarified in the press conference before the fourth round of the Italian league that facing Udinese will be extremely difficult but is one of the most significant tests of the current season.

Allegri said: "We expect a tough match, Udinese is a physically strong team and technically distinguished, playing there is not easy, and it will be one of the top four matches this season. We need stability and focus, and we have serious players ready for this confrontation, and we must play rationally because winning is essential for Milan."

He added: "We are at the beginning of our journey, and we will have the opportunity to strengthen our position after the last two victories. The match represents an important test of our current performance and throughout the season; we need cohesion and to show the quality of our play with constant focus and to deal with their physical strength in the best way possible."

He pointed out: "The substitute players will also have an important role, as we saw in the match against Bologna. We need to improve our attacking opportunities, as we have forwards and midfielders capable of scoring. We have improved defensively, but there is still room for development, and we need time."

Regarding VAR technology, he said: "VAR has improved football and reduced errors, but sometimes it remains subjective, and it should become as objective as possible."

On the players, he confirmed: "Leão is recovering well, and we hope he will be ready for the match against Napoli, and Maignan is in the recovery phase, and we hope for his return for the Lecce match in the Coppa Italia."

He continued: "Jimenez needs to stay calm; his goal will come soon, and Pulisic is a game-changer, and Ricci is continuously growing and is considered a reliable and important player for our team."

He concluded: "Fofana is very important and needs to score more, and Saelemaekers has a wonderful talent and knows how to maintain his focus throughout the match, and Modric is a champion and a Ballon d'Or winner, and there is no need for more words."