As Milan are entering a crucial phase of the season, also known as the season finale, Massimiliano Allegri has called upon the leaders to make a bigger difference.
The 1-1 draw against Como was a blow to Milan’s Scudetto hopes, now seven points behind their city rivals Inter. However, if there’s one thing that Allegri has learned during his time as a coach, it’s that a lot tends to change towards the end of a season.
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As such, which was pointed out by Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below), Allegri has called upon his key players to take more responsibility and lead the team. Mike Maignan has done so all season, except for the recent howler, so there are other players who need to step up more.
Leao and Pulisic, it’s your turn
As decisive and aesthetically pleasing as Rafael Leao’s goal was against Como, it was also clear from his overall performance that he’s not in top shape. Allegri has been easing him into things, along with Pulisic, and he’s hoping that they can both turn a corner in the coming weeks.
For the No.11, things are arguably worse as he’s yet to find the back of the net in 2026 (as opposed to Leao’s three goals). The minor discomfort has proved to be not so minor, and the feeling is that he will need some more time to regain full fitness.
January 18th, over a month ago, was when Pulisic last started a game. Since then, he has played in three out of four games, totalling just 42 minutes. His athletic condition and pace are far from those of his best years: an effort is needed to recover quickly, perhaps with the derby in mind.
Nkunku and Saelemaekers missed
Christopher Nkunku initially filled the penalty void left by Leao and Pulisic, scoring five goals from matchday 17 onwards. However, the former Chelsea striker is now struggling again, following two pretty poor performances against Pisa and Como.
More is needed, especially if he doesn’t want the summer to be like January, when he was drifting between staying and being sold. He must convince the club that he can be a valuable asset on the pitch, not to mention justifying the €37m price tag.
Let’s not forget one of the team’s key players, a guarantee of pace and tactical balance: Alexis Saelemaekers. He started in all of the first 22 league games, then sat out twice with a hamstring problem, and finally came on as a substitute on Wednesday against Como.
He clearly has the quality and tactical understanding to make a difference for Milan, so that’s exactly what he will need to do.
