Massimiliano Allegri, the head coach of AC Milan, spoke at the press conference held on the eve of the match against Juventus in Turin, as part of the top matches of the round before the international break, confirming the importance of the encounter and its special atmosphere for him.

Allegri said: "The Juventus vs Milan match is always fantastic. For us, it is important to take a step forward against a strong team that has not lost yet and will compete until the end for the top four positions. It will not be an easy match, but we will do our best to achieve a positive result."

Regarding preparations, he added: "The week has been normal. After eight years at Juventus, the feelings are always there, but it is not a matter of revenge, and there is no risk of me sitting in the wrong seat, especially after the seating arrangements in the stadium have been changed. For me, being in the technical area is always enjoyable and full of emotions. We must maintain our focus on the ultimate goal, as the season is still in its early stages, and there are many points to compete for."

On the defensive side: "We need to provide a strong tactical performance. Against Napoli, we defended well, but we could have handled the situation that led to the penalty better. Juventus is a team that presses hard and plays with high intensity, and they are used to scoring in such matches, so we must be at our peak in terms of technical and tactical readiness."

Regarding the visit of Dan Peterson: "I used to watch his teams when I was a kid. It was a very special moment when we met and talked about the evolution of football and basketball over time. Talking to a man in his nineties who has such energy is amazing; there is always something to learn from him."

On the condition of Tomori and Leao: "Tomori is fully ready to participate, while Rafael Leao, like Nkunku, is regaining his fitness after a strong training week, which is his first since August 17. His season has not really started yet, but he is eager to give his best."

On the lineup: "The first decision will be about Tomori. As for the Estupinan position, I will choose between Bartisaghi and Ethikami, both of whom can play on the left side. We also need to consider the role of substitutes, as those coming off the bench can be decisive."

On Gabia and Ricci: "Matteo is a player with a lot of room for development, and he possesses responsibility and high quality. We are happy with his call-up to the national team. As for Ricci, he is developing well and can play as a defensive midfielder or in a slightly advanced position in front of the defense."

Regarding the return of Gashari, he concluded by saying: "He will return in about a month. He has started light jogging on the sand. It requires some patience, and I hope to be able to rely on him soon."