AC Milan coach Max Allegri has defended the decision to allow Andrea Pirlo to join Juventus.

Allegri drew a great deal of criticism for letting Pirlo quit on a free transfer last summer, especially as he became the crucial figure at title-winning Juventus.

"It was a decision also made by Andrea and the club. If Juve hadn't won the Scudetto then you journalists wouldn't have gone on and on about this story. Last year Pirlo didn't play because he wasn't in good shape, but we won the title and nobody complained then."