[Zed.D]

Milan chief Berlusconi speaks…


Milan President Silvio Berlusconi has backed boss Massimiliano Allegri, told Stephan El Shaarawy to cut his hair and defended the club’s high profile summer sales.

Speaking to Milan Channel after visiting the squad at Milanello on Friday, the former Italian Prime Minister discussed a variety of subjects.

“I’m not here to scream at the squad because that is not what they need,” Berlusconi commented ahead of tomorrow’s game against Napoli.

“We start again from today, I want to get close to Milan again and get back what I had lost over these years.

“If Allegri is here then it is because I have faith in him,” he added. “This is an unfortunate period, but let us not forget what he has won.

“Milan have a precise tradition. In 26 years, we’ve changed the Coach during the course of a season on only two occasions. We are serious people, we have a good relationship with the tactician.”

The Rossoneri have struggled this term, but one bright spark has been provided by the form of El Shaarawy.

“El Shaarawy is a solid kid with his feet on the ground. If only he'd change his hairstyle…”

Milan fans were left frustrated by the club’s transfer policy in the summer when they opted to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain.

“There is regret over Ibra, but you have to do the maths,” he noted.

“We saved €130m with their sales and nobody, during this economic climate, would have turned that down.

“You see real fans in times of difficulty. I expect the team to be supported. After 26 years of caviar and champagne, patience is needed.”

Berlusconi, who rejected speculation that he is in discussions to sell a stake in the club, also spoke about a number of players.

“Alexandre Pato is a great champion. He was the most untouchable player we had, then he had this series of injuries. He needs to pick himself up, but he has a desire to get back to his levels.

“As for Riccardo Montolivo, he is a playmaker, he reminds me of Pirlo. I’ll speak to Allegri about his positioning.”

When asked about Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli, a possible transfer target, Berlusconi said: “I like him a lot.”

Thoughts?