Milan want to start at Max. Even if Max (Allegri) won’t actually be on the bench, suspended after being sent off in the 2023–24 Coppa Italia final (won with Juventus against Atalanta). In his place, giving instructions to the Rossoneri will be his trusted assistant Marco Landucci, alongside the 58-year-old coach since their days at Grosseto: with 20 years spent side by side, they hardly need to speak to each other, so deep is their understanding and so similar their view of football.
That is why the former Juve boss, who will watch from a skybox in the stands, is confident as he begins his second era in red and black. The same confidence is shared by the Milan faithful, who tonight will pack San Siro as though the opposition were a Champions League heavyweight, and not, with all due respect, Bari, fresh from Serie B and who in August 1987 featured in the debut at San Siro of Arrigo Sacchi’s first Milan.
Yes, ticket prices are low and the number of football-loving tourists is high, but the more than 66,000 spectators expected at the Meazza are explained above all by Allegri’s arrival on the bench, which is a move that by itself has restored belief and enthusiasm among the Rossoneri. The Curva Sud will remain silent, but the Milan fans, who last season claimed the “supporters’ Scudetto” with a record average attendance of 71,544, are not stepping back and now hope for a campaign different from the last. At Milanello, the word Scudetto remains taboo, but for the fans, with Allegri in charge, dreaming is no longer forbidden. The club’s objective, however, is another: "to finish in one of the top four places." As Allegri reminded everyone yesterday, telling Mediaset and Milan TV: “Maximum focus against Bari and then Saturday against Cremonese for the Serie A debut: from now on, there’s no more room for mistakes or jokes.” Clear enough, isn’t it?
Milan, here's the challenge
Among the big clubs, Milan are the first to play an official match in 2025–26; the only one starting from the Coppa Italia round of 64 and not taking part in European competition. The Rossoneri come into this after a pre-season that rekindled some enthusiasm, and in recent days the squad has been nearly completed. The jewel in the crown is Ballon d’Or winner Modric, and although a true striker to alternate with Gimenez is still missing, most of the work has been done. Tonight before kick-off, the new arrivals will be presented, but the festive atmosphere must not distract the team. On this, Max has been clear:
“Points and victories are what count, because we must try to push forward in the Coppa Italia to reach the final in May. It’s one of our three objectives since this year we won’t be in the Champions League. We must play a responsible, disciplined match, with great technical quality, and above all show respect for Bari, who are a well-organised team, coached by the talented Fabio Caserta, and who have had a good pre-season. Us, favourites? Matches have to be won on the pitch. Mentally this is an important challenge, and we need to take a step forward. Championships aren’t won or lost in one game, but across 38. As I’ve always said, in the league you need consistency, always keeping balance: don’t get carried away when things go well, don’t despair when they go badly and there are difficult moments. We’ll need focus and respect against the big teams, but above all against the mid- and lower-table sides, because it’s the results against them that will define our season. What matters is that the team attack well, making use of the technical quality Milan players have, and especially defend carefully. Not just the defenders, but everyone on the pitch. The numbers on goals conceded don’t lie: concede a certain amount, and you end up in one position; concede more, and you finish in another.”
And since Allegri is aiming high, mistakes at the back are forbidden. Starting tonight against Bari. Milan’s enthusiasm must be fuelled by results.
Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport in today's print edition.
