Massimiliano Allegri: 'Silvio Berlusconi gives me tactical advice'

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has admitted that club president Silvio Berlusconi regularly provides his own input on first-team affairs.

Milan host Barcelona at San Siro on Wednesday in the last 16 of the Champions League, and Allegri revealed to reporters that the owner often gives his personal insight into how games should be approached.

"I have sat down and talked to the president about the game," said Allegri.

"As always, he put forward his ideas and thoughts, which are sometimes brilliant and well thought out, and they are well-received.

"I will try to put the best formation onto the pitch so we can get a good result, which is what counts."

The Italian concedes that his side will be underdogs in the tie, but has said that the seven-time European Cup winners will not lie down for the Liga leaders.

Allegri said: "Milan vs. Barcelona means we are facing the best team in the world but I do not accept that in the last two weeks everyone has been making us out to be the sacrificial lamb."

Milan finished second in Group C behind winners Malaga.