In a press conference today, at the unusual time of 3:30 PM CET. to allow the team to take the field at Milanello at noon to simulate tomorrow's match, coach Massimiliano Allegri admitted that there was a setback after the defeat at San Siro against Parma: "After six months without losing, we all felt the setback. On Tuesday we were all a bit dazed, while on Wednesday we had a good training session. Sooner or later a slip could happen, we hoped it wouldn't, but it did. Now we have to get back to running."
It is natural to suffer mentally after a Serie A season stretch, or more, without ever losing. But now, having reached the much-cited March in a good position, it is necessary to recover. It would be too foolish to throw away, whether with Scudetto ambitions or not, what has been built so far, and it would show disrespect for the sacrifices made by the team group above all.
And Allegri knows it well: "We have reached March, and quite well. We could have done even better. And now the season is decided. March, April, and May will decide the championship, the Champions League spots… From tomorrow, the descent begins." Naturally, the number of matches decreases, the points available decrease, and above all, the chance to correct mistakes decreases. The Scudetto, unless there is a catastrophe for Inter, is probably out of reach. But the Champions League spot, despite a good points advantage, is not yet secured. Everything can reopen in an instant. Roma and Como push hard, Juventus is still there, Napoli does not give up, and Atalanta will also try to make its mark. There is no room for going off track, as relayed via Milan News.
Likewise, there is no point in wasting energy on controversies, referee mistakes, or incidents that are judged differently from one week to the next. Max was categorical: "My guidance is that we, as a team, must focus on what we have to do. An incident cannot determine the match. We must not have the excuse of a goal, a penalty, a foul or not a foul, otherwise we go in the wrong direction. We must be able to manage the unexpected: there are many, and we have to handle them well. If you fall behind, if a penalty is given against us… it should not shake us. Focus on the match itself."
He also spoke clearly to quell rumors about his future that arose during the week: "With the club, there is total harmony. Then, as is normal in a discussion, there can be different points of view. It is important that everyone works for the good of Milan. I am very happy to have returned to Milan after 15 years and started working with a group of wonderful young men. The club is planning and structuring Milan's future." He then spoke about March 2027, hoping that Milan can be at the top of the league while still competing in all other competitions: Champions League and Coppa Italia. In other words: he is already thinking actively about next season. A clear message, and the focus returns to the key point: maximum concentration to get back to earning points, starting tomorrow.
And the players should not take the field thinking it will be easy: "Cremonese has qualities and has had a good season. In the last three matches, Milan has never scored in Cremona: two 0-0 draws and one defeat. The last victory dates back to 1993/94, the year before with Capello they drew 1-1." Therefore, maximum attention is required.
