Massimiliano Allegri, the AC Milan head coach, spoke to the media in a press conference ahead of the Serie A fixture vs Sassuolo.
Sassuolo, newly promoted like Pisa and Parma
"Tomorrow we try to reverse this trend, the numbers are against us. Sassuolo are a good team, they sit well in the table. Matches against teams like this never feel over. They show far more balance than at the start of the season. A match to approach with respect and order."
On Christian Pulisic and the injured players
“He still has room to grow. He is a quiet person off the pitch, on the pitch he changes, he is ruthless in front of goal. He still needs to reach peak condition, the same applies to Nkunku, who is improving. Nkunku’s physical condition has improved a lot, in Turin he played a strong second half. Leao will miss tomorrow but will be back for the Super Cup match. Fofana has recovered but stays at home because he has not trained at all. Athekame is called up, Gimenez is working and we hope to have him back as soon as possible.”
On Milan’s approach to matches:
“A season has different phases. We started matches well and then began second halves making the sign of the cross. Now the situation has flipped. We must find balance to always have the right approach. In Turin we played a strong second half, yet in the first 15 minutes we conceded two goals that risked costing three points. Against Sassuolo we hope not to concede. Tomorrow is the early 12.30 kickoff, we head toward the holidays. Our priority is to face Sassuolo with order, matches last 100 minutes. We face a team able to score at any moment, the defensive phase must be strong to stop them from using their strengths out wide. Volpato and Laurienté are strong in one on one situations and attacking space. A tough match to bring home. Then comes the trip to Saudi Arabia. Going there with three points is different from going there after a defeat.”
On Christian Nkunku:
“He needs to feel calmer. He arrived in an environment where everyone wanted him. Teammates, coach, and club trust him fully. I told him to smile more, if he smiles more things go well. He has strong technique, between now and the end of the year he will do good things.”
Allegri on the Scudetto race:
“Inter and Napoli finished second and first last season. Being favorites follows logic. Milan changed many players, strong players arrived, and we are on a path where ambition and belief matter, starting from the base idea Milan must return to the Champions League. Tomorrow we must take another small step in the table. We have 31 points, many more are needed for the seasonal target. The key is reaching March in the best condition.”
Numerically the attack has been short for weeks. Will solutions arrive from the market:
“Short or not, until January nobody arrives even if we wanted. I must find internal solutions within a group that responds. We will manage. The club stays alert on the market, now focus stays on tomorrow’s match. After tomorrow we think about Riyadh and the Super Cup trip.”
On Sassuolo:
“We saw Sassuolo have clear traits. Even against Inter at San Siro they played well. We must show respect and order in the defensive phase. If we lose shape around the pitch we create problems for ourselves. For three points tomorrow we need a serious match in every aspect, technical, physical, mental.”
Did you expect this growth? Allegri replied:
“At the start I did not know if they would absorb the ideas because I did not know them. Everyone committed right away, the shared target is returning to the Champions League and that is not easy. Work goes well but improvement is still needed in some phases, like recognizing when the opponent struggles and then finishing them off. Without losing focus on tomorrow’s goal, we must set the conditions to win."
People say Milan sit so high because Champions League matches are absent:
“I only say I would enjoy playing every three days with the Champions League. We work toward this goal. All the talk about advantage or disadvantage does not matter. The real advantage comes from a strong squad, a strong club, and an environment able to support matches every three days on a mental level. The beauty lies in playing the Champions League, I like this. Playing every three days leads to less preparation time, even if I do not believe so. We work to reach the Champions League.”
On Ardon Jashari and possible midfield changes, Allegri said:
“Jashari has grown a lot since the injury. People think about Thursday’s match and then a possible final. Which match stands closest? Tomorrow. Tomorrow we must go for three points. After tomorrow’s match we will see who stands fit, who feels tired, and who carries knocks. Then choices for Thursday will follow.”
In Turin you looked calm even at 2-0 up.
“I was not calm. At 2-0, let’s say for a moment… laughs. The team looked calm, with plenty of time left. Matches last a long time. Against Lazio in Rome we wasted too many balls and chased the match. Lazio created some chaos and we followed along. Even one minute from the end, chances must come. At that moment the match slipped away. In Turin the team stayed organized. In Turin the penalty chance arrived and Zapata scored, clarity stayed on the pitch. Matches do not always follow plans, managing the unexpected matters. Until the referee whistles, focus must stay high.”
Does Tomori suffer from lapses in concentration?
“Not Tomori alone, the whole team shares this issue. Two goals conceded against Torino, Pisa, Parma, Cremonese. These situations need improvement. Going two goals down after 12 minutes must stop. Such moments happen, yet repetition must end.”
What does the win in Turin bring in terms of awareness?
“Three important points, enthusiasm, and energy. The players know one thing well, raising the bar narrows the margin for error. Tomorrow attention must rise again. Too much positive energy inside the group lowers defensive focus, and defensive focus must stay high.”
What kind of group did you find to work with this year?
“A group of players ready to question themselves, eager to improve. The group understands a big opportunity exists, playing for Milan. Milan demands care. How does one keep Milan? Through professionalism, passion, and enthusiasm. Leaving makes return hard. Each player holds a chance to achieve something important at Milan and leave a mark. The group understands this and will try to follow this path.”
What did you write in the letter to Santa Claus?
“Training takes place at Christmas, Santa Claus stays away. Matches fill the schedule. I wrote nothing because satisfaction with the squad stands high. A strong and eager group works here. The environment matters too, starting with the club and everyone at Milanello. Nothing has been achieved yet, feet must stay on the ground. After the loss in Rome, a quiet and strong reaction followed, showing the sense of responsibility among the players after the Coppa Italia exit.
On Milan’s struggles against smaller sides... Allegri commented:
“Football lacks logic. At times logic disappears. There are phases when goals come against smaller teams, then against bigger ones. What matters is analysis and improvement without mental interference from such episodes. In Turin two avoidable goals happened, yet randomness exists during a match. We must avoid poor management of those moments. Everyone would like zero shots and zero goals conceded. Work goes in that direction, with awareness opponents share the same aims.”
Does talking about another striker make sense with this Pulisic?
“I do not know if future use places him deeper. I only say recovery of Gimenez matters, hopefully soon. Above all, having four forwards to choose from matters. January brings many matches during a delicate phase. Recovering Athekame, Fofana, and Leao already strengthens the bench. For this reason, Gimenez’s return holds importance."
Still on Christopher Nkunku. Does he need high tempo to perform?
“He needed to regain fitness. Until late October, physical condition stayed below standard. He worked hard. In Turin, the third goal came because he attacked the near post well and freed Pulisic. Technical quality stands out. In front of goal, a player who scores.”
What makes this group special? Allegri answered:
"A group who never complains during training or about our demands. Everyone shares a clear target. Everyone wants to seize the chance to stay at Milan and leave a meaningful mark in club history. Focus must stay high, ignore outside noise, one target exists. On May 25, Milan must sit among the top four. Next season, Milan plays the Champions League."
