Rabiot ‘not at 100 per cent yet’ for AC Milan, but ready to make impression
Adrien Rabiot admits he is ‘not yet at 100 per cent’ for Milan, but is confident Max Allegri’s touchline ban won’t distract the team against Udinese this evening.
It kicks off at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
The midfielder arrived on deadline day from Olympique Marseille, where he had been frozen out following a locker room brawl with teammate Jonathan Rowe.
He was pushed straight into the starting XI for the 1-0 victory over Bologna at San Siro last week and is again pulling the midfield strings tonight.
Rabiot had a difficult summer
“I had a good week, I am not yet at 100 per cent, because before last Sunday’s match I had not played for a month. I feel good, mentally I am strong too, so I feel ready for tonight,” Rabiot told Sky Sport Italia.
Milan will also be in action on Tuesday for the Coppa Italia against Lecce, so squad rotation has to be on their minds.
“There are four big games before the break for international duty and it is fundamental for us to grow. Udinese have shown they are strong, but we are Milan and must win, so the coach is firing us up.”
However, Allegri will not be on the touchline this evening, as he was suspended after being sent off for dissent last weekend.
Nonetheless, Rabiot assures the coach he knows so well has still managed to get the message across.
“He spoke to us in the hotel, while his assistant Landucci is someone we know well too. We’ve had talks all the way through the week, so we are ready and know what he wants.”