Massimiliano Allegri insisted that AC Milan are not over the finish line yet despite securing a big win over Genoa.
At one point during the match at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, the live table showed Milan in fifth place for the first time in 2026. However, goals from Christopher Nkunku and Zachary Athekame ended up securing a massive three points on Sunday lunchtime.
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It means that going into the final game against Cagliari at home another three points will be enough not only to finish inside the top four but to get third. Dropping points would complicate things a bit, but there is a two-point cushion to Juventus and Como in fifth and sixth.
Allegri: Milan not over the line yet
The main thing though was to snap out of a run that had yielded just one win in six games. Massimiliano Allegri spoke to DAZN after the win at the Marassi, one that restores a bit of calm after a dreadful recent run of form. His words are via MilanNews.
How are you finding all this tension late in the season?
“There was a lot of pressure, we risked throwing away everything we’ve built throughout the year. We haven’t achieved anything yet; we have one last game to win at home against Cagliari, and we hope to do so.
“Let’s just say I have to thank the players, those who have worked and are working alongside me, who have supported me and put up with me. We still have a week to go to reach our goal.
“We’re happy, the club was present today with Cardinale. We need to recharge our batteries because we’ve been really drained.”
But the jacket didn’t come off…
“It didn’t fly by, I was too caught up in the game. We also did well in injury time because we didn’t let them get close. We even had a chance to make it 3-1 with Pulisic. Hopefully we can get our last win on Sunday, we’re at home and we’ve only got one point in our last three games.”
You’ve received a great response, especially from less visible players like Athekame and Nkunku. How important is this message?
“I had no doubts about the great response. We’ve gotten ourselves back on track a bit. In the last few games, we’d been a bit confused and conceded some easy goals, which isn’t typical of us.
“Then, when you defend like we did in the last few games, things can go badly. Today, however, we were good at defending and even a bit lucky. Athekame has a good shot from outside the box, so I’m happy for everyone.
“When players arrive from abroad, it takes a while for them to settle in… Jashari had a good game in a role he’s slowly getting to know. I’m very happy.”
Modric was on edge today like all the fans…
“I have the pleasure of working with Luka and seeing the love and passion he still has for this sport. Today he was there, eager to come on, but I preferred Loftus, who is a jumper.
“I should have chosen someone who could hold the ball, but then there were a couple of scrums, and since the injury was still fresh… He made himself available, I’m very happy and it’s truly wonderful. He should be a lesson to all footballers and all children who play football.
“Football is a wonderful sport, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But the passion and love that goes into this sport must be learned from these great champions.
“As for the great champions who don’t have those characteristics, I’ve been fortunate enough to coach quite a few, but I’ve never had any. I’ve always had these players with these great characteristics.”
Today you share a smile with Gasperini…
“Let’s hope we can smile on Sunday too. We have to be careful until we reach the finish line. I don’t have to tell Gian Piero that, he did a great job at Roma, which is an environment I don’t know, but I imagine it’s very difficult. He’s continuing what he’s been doing throughout his career.”
Considering the teams recent form , tension within and massive pressure to reach the CL spots, today’s result was tremendous.
The holes in defence , inability to keep the ball and build attacks were still present but in a hostile environment they brought the 3 points home.
Allegri cannot mess up the last game. Modric has got to come in and Leao has to remain a sub( he has way too much pressure and bad funk at the moment), starters should be Nkunku & Fullkrug/ Pulisic, Christian showed he is coming back to form.
I hope they can get the 3 points at the San Siro, they have played horribly at home lately.
Forza Milan!
“Allegri cannot mess up the last game.”
Max says “Hold my beer”… 🙄
I don’t want to always be a Pulisic apologist, but where was anyone running to the back post on that play. The entire goal was open if someone (Fulkrug, Bart, Ricci) makes a run. Instead Pulisic has to try to sneak one by on a tight angle. But because Rabiot made the pass to Pulisic and Pulisic had the ball at his feet the two guys who know how to make runs were unable to do so. Leaving someone else…and typical of Milan this year, they were nowhere.
Sorry rewatched. Rabiot passed to Pulisic who dummied to Fulkrug. Fulkrug played Pulisic in…then jogged towards the goal after making that nice pass. No RLC, no Ricci, No Bartesaghi anywhere.
It was screaming for someone to go and tap that in but no… Too bad the keeper did a great save.