The AC Milan new coach, Massimiliano Allegri, spoke to the media in a press conference held at Casa Milan to present himself, along with Igli Tare.
Here are the Italian tactician's words:
"Good morning everyone and welcome back. I'm glad to be here in front of you. Today we begin this adventure where we'll try to achieve great satisfaction," as relayed via Milannews.it.
You've been at Milan for a month and a half now—have you felt that sense of unity that traditionally defines the environments where you thrive? Allegri replied:
"Since I arrived, we've started working together with the Director and all parts of the club. To get results, we need to be a single unit, moving in the same direction, with a shared sense of responsibility toward an important club like Milan. We share the daily dynamics—with the Director and the other members. This fantastic adventure begins, and I'm very happy and excited. I've returned to Milan and found many familiar faces I had left behind, as well as many new ones. For me, that’s an important source of motivation—meeting new people gives you a completely different kind of focus."
Is the goal to start winning again? Allegri said:
"Five is a lucky number for me—it's the date my daughter was born, and she made me the grandfather of two grandchildren. It’s not like I’ve won more than Milan in these past 15 years. I was lucky enough to work for four years at Milan under Berlusconi and Galliani, where I had the chance to win thanks to the club and the players. Then I moved to Juventus, and I take this opportunity to thank them for the eight years I spent there—the people who supported me and President Agnelli, with whom I have a strong bond. That said, my job is to put the players in the best possible conditions to deliver important performances. The club must act as a single, united block, and I’m sure it will. Milan's squad is an excellent one, the club is monitoring every situation, and the key is to reach August 31st in the best possible shape. The first six months are crucial to lay the foundations for reaching March, when seasons are decided."
At the end of the season, you’ll be satisfied if...? Allegri commented:
"First of all, let’s get to training. I believe you have to start the season with great enthusiasm, passion, hard work, and a sense of responsibility—those are the foundations to be in the best position come March to achieve our end-of-season goals. The first goal is for Milan to return to playing in the Champions League. By March, we need to be in those positions."
What explanations did you give yourself for last season? Allegri said:
"Football is difficult. There's a simple example: I was watching Serie B, and Spezia played the playoffs with a completely different team from the one that played the playouts the year before. It's not up to me to say what didn’t work last season — I watched the matches and really enjoyed them. Today, a new season begins, and we have to focus on that. Last year, Milan won a trophy, reached the Coppa Italia final, and played some excellent individual matches. I have to take the positives from last year: the team has value. It's up to me to get the best out of them. We all have to work together — players, the club, and everyone at Milanello — to achieve the best results possible. At Milan, we must always have the ambition to achieve the maximum and never settle, with great dedication to our work. Especially in the league, where it's not a one-off match, we have to try to maintain a cruising speed. To get results, you need to collect a certain number of points, score goals, and concede fewer: goal difference has always made the difference in the Italian league — they taught me that since I was a child."
How much of a ‘short-nosed’ (winning by a hair) approach will your Milan have? What did the club ask of you?
“It’s not about winning by a short nose. Everyone's objective is to work well, start strong, and bring Milan back to the Champions League. That’s the goal we all need to have in mind, and we can only achieve it through daily work from each individual — and I’m the first. I’m very confident.”
Why Milan?
“First of all, because Milan is a club I’m very attached to. When I got the call from Tare and Furlani, I met with them right away — I was very enthusiastic, and within an hour we decided we would start this adventure together. I’m very happy with the choice I made.”
What certainties is your Milan starting from? Is there interest in Dusan Vlahovic?
"As for the transfer market, the director Tare, together with the club, is monitoring it. Every day we share and evaluate the opportunities that arise. The departures were all agreed upon with the club. Today I have 25 players at my disposal and I’m very happy. Things need to be done gradually and done well: on August 17, we have our first Coppa Italia match — a knockout game that will help us prepare for the league."
Last year Napoli won the league without the commitment of European competitions. In your opinion, is it possible to follow a similar path?
"I can only say that when you work at Milan, everyone must have the ambition to achieve the best possible results. We have to start working with the conviction of reaching the highest targets. If by March we’ve been good enough to be in the top positions, then we’ll play for important things. Right now, saying we’ll win the league means nothing — we need to be responsible and concrete, achieving results through passion, hard work, and the sense of responsibility that each of us in this club must have."
Will you go with a 4-3-3?
"First let’s start by putting ten players out there, then we’ll see (he laughs)."
Will Mike Maignan be the captain?
"I saw him this morning. I’m very happy that he made the choice to stay. He’s the captain of the team, an international player, one of the best in the world. Credit to the club for convincing him to remain. I’m sure Leão will have a great season."
Where will Luka Modric fit in? Allegri answered:
"Let’s wait for him to arrive — he’ll come in August. He’s an important and extraordinary player. We have Ricci, Modric, Loftus-Cheek — who’s a very important player and scored 12 goals two years ago — and we have Fofana, Bondo, Musah. We have excellent players. In midfield we’ll definitely play with three, and based on the characteristics of each individual, we’ll shape our setup on the field. Above all, I’ll try to get the best out of them."
Is Igli Tare’s role, which wasn’t there before, fundamental?
"As for what happened up until a month ago, I can’t speak to that — I don’t know. What I’ve found is a club with clearly defined roles, which is the most important thing: it’s important that we’re all moving in the same direction. There needs to be unity — from the ownership all the way to the kitmen — to put the players in the best possible conditions to do what they have to do: win matches for us."
Have you met the ownership? What message do you send to the fans who are disappointed?
"I met them. It was a pleasant lunch — I was very happy. As for the fans, the most important thing we need to do is work well, day after day. The only way to win back the fans’ respect is to work properly, with responsibility and professionalism. And try to achieve results, which is what matters most in football. The fans will have to support us — we’ll absolutely need them."
You once said: 'Leagues are won in matches where you play badly.' Is that why you’re looking for another striker? What’s your relationship like with Dusan Vlahovic?
"He’s an extraordinary guy — he arrived very young from Fiorentina. I’m not a fan of statistics, but there are numbers you can’t ignore. In the last 20 years, there’s only been one season where the title wasn’t won by the team with the best defense — that was Sarri’s Juve, who conceded 43 goals. A great team scores between 60 and 80 goals — if you concede 40, you can’t make the top four."
Where does your belief in Rafael Leao come from?
"I believe in him — I’m convinced. He’s reaching the age of maturity. Usually, a player’s most important years are between 26 and 30. I think he’s more responsible now; I met him this morning and we spoke. I believe all the conditions are there for him to do well."
How has Allegri changed over the years?
"I’ve changed a lot — it’s normal. Young people aren’t better or worse than older ones; in life, it’s a matter of experience. In a month I’ll turn 58, and compared to when I started at Aglianese, I’m completely different. With my 4 years at Milan and 8 at Juventus, I’ve been very fortunate — they taught me a lot. These two clubs greatly expanded the experience I carry with me, and which I still have to apply. You never stop learning — there’s always room to improve. There’s no such thing as staying the same: you either improve or get worse. When you stop improving, it means you’re getting worse."
Should the word 'scudetto' become a duty, an obsession for this team?
"Setting the Scudetto as a target is more of a statement that helps you (journalists) write headlines. Being at a great club like Milan, everyone must have the ambition to achieve the maximum. Then, it’s the players who will speak on the pitch. The league doesn’t lie — you have to be there every day working, and every Sunday fighting for three points. But we can only really talk about this in March. Until March, we have to build in order to be ready for the final months."
What kind of Zlatan Ibrahimovic have you found? Also, did you try to speak with Theo Hernandez to convince him to stay?
"I haven’t seen Ibra yet. As soon as his appointment became official, we got in touch — we’re happy. He was an extraordinary player, and now he’s starting his career as a club executive. As Furlani said, he’s a consultant to the ownership, and he must be a role model for all the players with his mentality. Theo made a different choice — he’s a great player, and I wish him all the best."
How much work will it take on the team’s mindset?
"I can’t judge what happened last year. But we need to become a team as soon as possible — the sooner we become a team, the sooner we’ll get results. I’ve seen very willing and focused guys. Now we’ll see today when we start with the ball — that’s the hardest part. I’m very confident. What happened in the previous years is done — I need to take the best from the recent past. There’s no need for a revolution — we need to work with order and responsibility. Then Tare, between now and August 31, will be able to seize any opportunities the team needs."
What advice did you give to Thiago Silva? Which teams do you fear for next season?
"Thiago Silva called me — we talk now and then. I thought he was going to become a club executive… (laughs). The teams that are always at the top are Napoli — who are the favorites — Inter, Juventus, Atalanta, Roma, Lazio. Finishing in the top four is not easy, which is why it’s important to work well."
What kind of profiles are you expecting at full-back? Do you trust the current center-backs?
"I don’t talk about the transfer market — that’s the director’s job, he takes care of that. We have Jimenez, who can play as a full-back, and Bartesaghi, who is an interesting young player. The director has the time and means to sort things out. As for the center-backs, we have four with different characteristics, and they all have room for improvement. Pavlovic has potential, and so do Tomori and Thiaw. Gabbia is an exemplary guy in terms of attitude and behavior — I’m happy with him."
What offers did you have? And a thought on Juventus:
"I can only thank Juventus for the opportunity they gave me. I’m grateful to all the people who supported me in my daily work. As for the other offers… The most important offer for me was Milan. I’m enthusiastic and happy to be here — Milan has a wonderful charm."
What kind of football do you have in mind? Is there anyone to do your little free-kick games with, like you used to with Dusan Vlahovic?
"Fortunately for them, I can’t shoot on goal anymore. That said, when we have the ball, we have to attack well and score goals. When we don’t have it, we must defend well and avoid conceding. There are two phases: when you have the ball, you must score; when you don’t, you must not concede."
You immediately bring joy — how important is that aspect?
"What we need to do is enjoy ourselves, with grit, by winning. That’s the mix we need to achieve. We do a wonderful job, but like all jobs, it must be done with great passion — and that’s what pushes you to go above and beyond. We do a wonderful job, and when we step into Milanello, we must do so with great enthusiasm, remembering how lucky we are."
Is Rafael Leao someone who needs to be reined in tactically, or should you just put blinders on him and let him run?
"Blinders, no — because then you can only see in one direction. He must have 360° vision. Leão has extraordinary qualities, just like Loftus-Cheek in other ways, Ricci in others, Tomori in others, Gimenez in others… My job is to put them in the best possible conditions to perform."
What was Milan missing last year?
"I don’t know what Milan was missing last year — I wasn’t here. It’s easy to talk from the outside; it turns into barroom chatter. Now a new season begins, with new objectives, starting with the Coppa Italia on August 17. To build consistency, you have to work hard every single day. That’s the only way you can maintain continuity over a league season. A one-off match is different from a league campaign. We’ll need to understand this quickly — the team and the people working with me need to get it. Everyone is important. At the end of the year, the goals must be achieved."
How do you reach the Champions League final playing badly? Aren’t you tired of having this reputation of someone who plays badly?
"I'm not tired at all — it’s fun, it’s part of the game, I really enjoy it and I play along. What matters is the result. If you win, you’re a good guy; if you lose… I always give this example: when Ronaldo scored that bicycle kick in Turin against us, no one remembers the build-up, just the goal. Football is art — players have it in their feet and in their heads. It’s a team game, and I agree with that, but if player 1 passes to player 2, player 2 passes to player 3, and player 3 makes a mistake, then the team play already breaks down... That’s why I talk about technique."
