GdS: The ‘Milanello laboratory’ – the changes Allegri made to improve the culture at Milan

AC Milan’s huge improvement from last season is in large part because of the foundation coming from the work done at Milanello every day.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, Allegri put Milanello back at the centre of the entire sporting project from day one. He restored pre-match retreats whereby the players stay at the training complex before home games, as well as double training sessions and rules based on collegiality, like eating together.

Allegri has fused all these aspects, transforming Milanello into a laboratory for recreating DNA, a sense of belonging, collective values and of course a tactical narrative capable of achieving the club’s objectives. He has repeated the primary one ad infinitum: returning to the Champions League.

Working together

Max will never deviate from himself. Those who observe him on the pitch notice the same details and methods found in his first spell at Milan over 11 years ago. His relationship with the players is a compromise mediated by someone who has been a player himself, but also above all a winning coach.

Allegri has a resume that, connecting all the dots, gives him authority in the eyes of the players. He enjoys alternating lighthearted moments with hard work, whether athletic or requiring maximum tactical focus.

His Tuscan soul comes out when the circumstances allow, but many have also seen him get angry. In fact, those close to Milanello say that the former Juventus boss doesn’t get angry very often, but when he does get angry he can blow a fuse.

It happens and then passes, also because Allegri is universally recognised for one quality, perhaps his most important: he’s considered excellent at tackling problems and difficulties without overthinking them or transferring the discomfort to the team.

Then, just as importantly, he’s appreciated for his frankness: he says things to the player’s face, which is usually the best way to resolve issues.

Building a wall

After the derby, Allegri achieved a goal he’d been pursuing since the start of the season: Milan became the team with the best defence in the tournament. Indeed, the 20 goals conceded is actually the best record in Europe’s top five leagues.

It was his first mantra, recited from the day of his presentation. At one point in the year, he even estimated the number of goals conceded he thought should not be exceeded for those aiming for the Champions League or the Scudetto.

Here we come back to the Milanello laboratory. On those pitches, Allegri has trained the individual and team focus, transforming a defence that last year suffered spectacular setbacks in just about every way: set pieces, individual mistakes and brutal counter-attacks.

The line-up was often the same as this year (Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic), proof of how important individual mental focus and tactical drills during the week are. Among the new features for Milan in 2025-26: a three-man (or five-man) line that now plays as a back-four, with Tomori moving around and Pavlovic able to step out.

The results were clear: the Serbian scored a winner against Roma, Tomori had the pleasure of an assist against Lazio from the byline, and Estupinan took the role of derby star.  Of course, it’s not all down to the defence as a unit exclusively, though.

As every coach insists, the defensive phase begins well beforehand. In this case, the Rossoneri rearguard in front of Maignan can count on solid coverage from Modric, from Rabiot, the wing-backs and also the pressing from the front.

Throughout the week, Allegri’s staff splits up to oversee the work of the various departments. So, typically, Francesco Magnanelli takes care of the non-possession phase (and also the midfield), and Bernardo Corradi takes care of the attacking phase. All under the supervision of Max, of course.

Mike and Claudio

There’s also been a clear upgrade between the posts, and not just because Maignan has returned to his former peak and signed a new contract. If anything, these two factors are a direct consequence of what’s happening at Milanello.

Claudio Filippi has now become a guru of goalkeeping coaches, judging by the words Allegri and Maignan himself said about him. The coach is a figure Mike has frequently seen change since he joined Milan, and with Filippi, he’s found his ideal fit.

The renewal obviously came about not only because of this coach Allegri had at Juve, but also because of him. He’s obviously excellent from a technical standpoint and, above all, in terms of mental management and overall match preparation.

Maignan, who saves penalties and saves goals, is a circle that closes with the defence’s imperviousness. Milanello truly is a laboratory.