Allegri refuses to quit Milan post

Published Oct. 25, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has no intention of quitting despite Wednesday night's 1-0 Champions League defeat against Malaga.

Joaquin's second-half strike condemned the Rossoneri to their third loss in a row and ramped up the pressure on Allegri, whose side sit 15th in Serie A with just seven points from eight matches.

Last week vice-president Adriano Galliani insisted Allegri's job was not under threat.

And the 45-year-old coach, who led Milan to the title in 2011, has vowed to turn things around.

"Leaving? No, this is not part of my character. The team will bounce back after the performance, we've done that in the past and I can be confident (we will again)," Allegri told reporters following the defeat in Spain.

"Unfortunately we had a lapse of concentration for their goal. I try to give serenity to the group, but we wasted too many balls in the second half.

"We lack a little lucidity in the last 30 yards, where we make many errors of judgment."

The defeat leaves Milan four points off Malaga at the top of Group C, but the poor start in the league is now Allegri's main focus.

"Now we just have to focus on winning against Genoa (this Saturday)," he added.

"The situation in our Champions League group is positive and we have more need of points in the league."

Those sentiments are echoed by veteran midfielder Massimo Ambrosini, who feels the three points could be a catalyst to kick-start their campaign.

"The team needs results and that's what brings enthusiasm and confidence," he said.

"That's why we can't make any mistakes on Saturday. If we can get out of this delicate and difficult situation we'll do so having become stronger.

"We all want to get out of it all together and if we do that we'll be able to have a decent season".