Massimiliano Allegri, AC Milan’s head coach, spoke at a press conference from Singapore on the eve of the friendly match against Arsenal, scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30 PM Italian time. Below are his statements, as transcribed on Gazzetta.it:
What differences have you noticed compared to your first spell at Milan?
“These are very different circumstances from 15 years ago. We’ve only been working for 20 days, but the team is doing well. Modric will be important for us—he’s a champion and will raise our technical level. The goal is to get back to playing in the Champions League, which won’t be easy because there are many well-equipped and competitive teams.”
Is it better or worse not having European competitions in order to be more competitive in the league?
“The positive side is that by playing only once a week, you have more time to train, absorb concepts, and grow as a team. The downside is that without Champions League football, you miss out on the big matches everyone wants to play. I prefer to see the glass half full: we need to work hard so that next year Milan returns to the Champions League. I came back here with enthusiasm and determination. I’m focused on the final objective, which is for Milan to qualify for the 2026–27 Champions League—a fundamental goal for the brand and for the club’s financial standing.”
What do you think of the transfer market? Allegri responded:
“There’s complete synergy with the club on the market. They’re working to ensure that by August 31st, the team will be competitive for all three objectives.”
Are you focusing more on the psychological aspect after last season, or more on work on the pitch?
“I’ve gotten to know the squad, which is made up of excellent players. We must not look back on last season, only forward—both for better and for worse. Even when you’ve won and start again, you can’t rely on past titles. They’re useless for the future. What happened last year no longer matters. Now we’ve started a new season, and I’m confident because I have a group with strong technical and moral values. By August 17, we’ll be ready for the first official match. It’s important to work on the pitch. Right now we’re a group, but we need to become a team—quickly.”
