New Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri yesterday brushed off speculation he would overhaul his ageing squad by insisting they still have a lot to offer.

Allegri succeeds Brazilian Leonardo at the San Siro, having enjoyed two highly fruitful seasons with Cagliari.

While his predecessor was much criticised for not injecting enough new blood into the team, Allegri insists he will nonetheless follow suit.

And although Milan were a distant third behind bitter rivals and champions Inter last season, Allegri believes the squad he has is still competitive.

“What is missing to close in on Inter? Right now this squad gives plenty of guarantees,” he said.

“This team still has a lot to offer, there are players in their 30s but there are also many young players. We have all the characteristics and the qualities necessary to do well and achieve important objectives: top three in the league and going as far as possible in the Champions League.

“But conviction is vital for everything. I have a group of players who have won everything but there is still the ambition to do well again.

“It would be presumptuous of me to revolutionise a team that last season was still fighting for the title with six matches left.”

One of the most crucial elements of his new squad is Ronaldinho, who Milan president Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday described as: “The best player of all time.”

However, Ronaldinho has not always convinced in his two years with the Italians, at times showing glimpses of his undoubted class but too often suggesting he is not the player he once was.

And Allegri believes Ronaldinho has to step up to the plate this season.

“I don’t think there are any doubts surrounding him, he’s world class; although quality is not enough in the modern game,” said Allegri.

“To get results you need a group that play as one. Dinho has to make a difference. Of course, he needs the support of the team, just as he must put himself at the service of the team.”