Ahead of AC Milan’s match against Sassuolo, Massimiliano Allegri spoke to the media about several things, with the Champions League in reach.
After a season of repeated messages about the Champions League, Allegri’s team can secure a place in the top four tomorrow if all goes as planned. Milan must win and then if Roma and Como lose, then it will be enough.
It has been a long season with the Rossoneri and goals have changed throughout. At points, a Scudetto push looked possible, then it looked probable. However, a lack of quality depth saw their chances drop.
Though it has not been the end of the world, ultimately, Allegri had only aimed for a Champions League return this season.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
Allegri’s pre-Sassuolo press conference
With the final goal in sight, Allegri spoke to the media ahead of Sunday’s game and discussed the clash with Sassuolo and what will come next, as relayed by MilanNews.
A tribute to Alex Zanardi…
“I believe it’s right to remember Zanardi, an example of life and of human and sporting values for his dedication and passion for sport. My condolences to his family are right, and we must remember him for having passed on these values.”
Few expected Modric to be so decisive, even at 40. Now he won’t be there for the next four games…
“We’re very sorry about this nasty injury… Even though he’s so desperate to return, he’s shown this great desire all year. I hope this has been a great lesson for all the players. He’ll be replaced by Jashari or Ricci, who have improved a lot and in whom I have complete confidence. One of them will be on the pitch tomorrow.”
About Jashari…
“He’s grown a lot, unfortunately he had this bad injury that kept him out for a long time. He’s eager to learn, curious, and has his whole future ahead of him. Milan made an excellent signing.”
Meetings at Casa Milan with the management…
“It’s normal, we met as often happens. We evaluate the future, but not only that: we also evaluate how the season went. The result ultimately changes the outlook. Our ambition is to have laid a foundation, and the most important foundation is to get into the Champions League.”
On the referees…
“I haven’t formed any opinions, these are such sensitive matters. Everyone is talking, everyone has their say. The relevant bodies will decide and decide. The last day was very positive for the referees, but psychologically it wasn’t easy for them.”
In light of this referee chaos, how important is it to come in second?
“Absolutely not. We need to get the best possible result. Sassuolo are very technically advanced, they can score at any moment.
“They’re having an excellent season with a great player and coach. Fabio Grosso is the revelation of this season; I’ve known him since Juventus’ Primavera, and he’s made significant progress. We’re still six points away from mathematically securing a place in the Champions League.
“We need to approach tomorrow with great order and clarity; we can’t escape the objective.”
About Leao…
“Talking about the transfer market makes no sense. We all need to be focused on the objective. If a game goes badly for you and the others win, they’ll be on your back. One small step at a time. We started by trying to get the most out of ourselves and get back to playing in the Champions League.
“We’re all focused on this objective. Then, once the season is over, we’ll all evaluate how to continue and improve next year.”
About Nkunku…
“He has great technical ability; in his first year in Italy he scored goals. We’ve had problems scoring goals lately, but maybe tomorrow we’ll get back to scoring with our forwards. There’s no question about a player’s value: seasons matter. Just as there’s no question about the value of the players we have in our squad.”
PSG 5-4 Bayern: Did you enjoy it? What did you think?
“Let’s just say that from a technical standpoint, there were some wonderful displays. The higher the team’s technical level, the easier it is to see high-quality displays. Maybe next time it will end 1-1; that’s what makes football beautiful. But it was definitely an enjoyable match, with chances on both sides.”
How do you explain Sassuolo being Milan’s bête noire?
“I don’t know, let’s hope it was [laughs]. Tomorrow will be complicated.”
With the Champions League coming up, it’ll be necessary to expand the squad. In speaking with the club, have you noticed that your desire to have experienced players has been accepted by the management?
“Everyone needs to be aligned on the best of Milan, the club. But until we reach our goal, we can’t say ‘last year’. Reaching that goal will shift the transfer window by €100 million. We’re having discussions about evaluating this year’s season so far.
“Then we’ll evaluate and make decisions. The transfer window won’t be easy, especially regarding improving the squad. It’s one thing to have one competition, another to have three. The squad will need to be expanded. Camarda will return, as will Comotto, who, along with Gabbia, Bartesaghi, and Torriani, make up five players from the youth academy.
“It’s a good job, and he should be a key player for Milan’s future. This means you can invest more resources in more experienced players that you’re signing from outside.”
About Santiago Gimenez…
“Santiago is a player who arrived at Milan last year. He started the season with this ankle problem, arriving in August with the Gold Cup. This year the injury kept him out for 4-5 months, and once you return, finding your rhythm is not easy.
“He’s working well, he’s a valuable player and remains valuable, regardless of the fact that this year has been less positive due to the injury.”
Will we continue with the 3-5-2?
“It’s hard to say now. Last year, everything we did the year before wasn’t a complete waste. This year, we’ll see where we end up and make assessments. The formation isn’t a problem. We need to see how the club wants to build a solid squad for next season.”
How can Pulisic be better developed? Could this moment impact his future?
“No, he’s an important player for AC Milan. It’s hard to find players like him. You don’t have to look at whether a player has a good year or not. There are absolute values that don’t change. Pulisic is an important player.
“He’s put a lot of effort into the last few games. Right now, you have to put personal goals aside and sacrifice yourself for the team. The system isn’t important now, nor are those who play or don’t.
“Those who play and those who come on must have an excellent attitude, as well as playing football and performing well in both phases.”
Many have compared PSG-Bayern to Milan-Juventus…
It’s not that you have to play football one way or the other: they were two completely different games. Different moments for each team, with completely different players. The higher the technical level, the easier it is for players to make important plays.
“In the end, what we remember are the individual players’ gestures: Luis Diaz’s goal with wonderful control, how Dembele skipped past his opponent… They were two different games. All football is debatable, and that’s what makes it beautiful.
“PSG-Bayern was fun, beautiful to watch, as was Bayern-Real Madrid. Just look at how long the ball was on the pitch. Then I’ll finish because I have to focus on Sassuolo and not Bayern and PSG. But it’s simple.
“In Lega Pro the ball is on the pitch for 20 seconds, in Serie B 40 seconds, in Serie A a minute and a half. In PSG-Bayern, maybe even three minutes: the longer the ball is on the pitch, the more play there is.”
What should we pay attention to tomorrow?
“They’re very good at counterattacks, in space, and in plays near the box. They’re a team that seems to give you away, but in reality, they give you very little. Grosso was very good; when they get the ball, they come and grab you. In September, it was a match, but now it’s worth a lot.”
This year, the best offence wins, not, apparently, the best defence…
“From 2010 to 2026, I think there’s only one case, so far, where the best defence hasn’t won, and that was Sarri’s Juventus. I think so, roughly speaking. What matters is the goal difference. Inter have scored, I don’t know, 80 goals, even though they’ve conceded four more than us.
“What matters is the goal difference. Generally speaking, that’s how it is, and then the numbers are good because they can be beaten.”
What’s the reason for these jeers toward Leao? What’s the point? Is one goal enough to change the situation?
“I think it’s a gesture of affection from the fans towards Rafa, who put in a good performance on Sunday, one of his best from an athletic standpoint. He had some good opportunities.”
How can Milan be third in the league despite having a coach who is widely criticised?
“I don’t know [laughs]. Maybe the secret is to get some results. We’re missing six points, let’s hope we get them.”
Put Pulisic in Modric’s spot and put a striker up front with Leao. Win the match.
Joe, that is not serious. C’mon. Put Pulisic on DM? 😀 He can’t play even as a number 10, his vision is mediocre at best. Just watch when he is on the edge of the box with 3-5 pass options, it’s a dummy, move to the right and shoot in 99% of cases. He has many other attributes that are world class, he should be played where he can present those…
Pulisic is not a defensive midfielder. But who most assists for Milan the last 3 years? Pulisic and Leao tied. Pulisic is tied for the 2nd most assists this year (with Modric!) had the most assists last year, and the second most assists three years ago. Can Pulisic play DM…no. Does he have vision? Uhhhh yeah.
Allegri understands how things work. You don’t talk sh*t about your players in the media and get their value down like that (and confidence). He said almost the same about any player and you know he doesn’t think they are all top players but you don’t go into the media to make your and your clubs position worse. Some managers do this weekly …
Exactly. The thing I give him credit for is how he never throws players under the bus. He parks the bus, but doesn’t then drive it over his players.
Please leave and go somewhere else