The AC Milan head coach spoke to the media in the usual press conference ahead of the last Serie A match, which will be against Cagliari tomorrow (Sunday, May 24, 2026) at a sold-out San Siro.
This season he has always talked about pivotal matches, especially away from home. This time, however, it is crucial at home instead, at home where Milan’s pace in 2026 has been lower than in 2025...
“Let’s say that the pace in 2026 has been tragic. At home, in the last three matches, we’ve taken one point. Those are numbers... Tomorrow is the last match of the season and today is the last pre-match press conference of the season. I thank you for putting up with me; we also had a bit of fun together, which is one of the most important things. Tomorrow the objective is there, close by, so we must make sure we achieve it. Otherwise tomorrow night will not be a good evening. We will face Cagliari with great respect. They have a coach making his debut, Pisacane, who has done an excellent job. They have had a good season and I’m happy about that; I am very attached to Cagliari. Tomorrow we will have to play a serious match: with a positive result we have the chance to qualify for the Champions League.”
Is tomorrow’s objective key for your future?
"As far as the future is concerned, I believe the future is tomorrow; it is the most important match for everyone. For everyone working inside Milanello, at Casa Milan and for the fans. Tomorrow the stadium will be full; a victory should be a thank-you to them because throughout the year, even in difficult moments, they stayed close to us. It will be 100 difficult minutes, there is a lot of pressure. But we will need to stay calm."
On the medical situation of the squad members:
“Everyone is fine, everyone is available. We will need everyone; it is likely that the match will be decided in the last half-hour. Cagliari have conceded goals from the fiftieth minute onwards. But they are strong, we need to play a very serious match.”
On tomorrow’s risks:
“Tomorrow we face only one danger: our attitude and a bit of complacency. After Genoa, after a week that was very intense in terms of tension. Tomorrow the mistake we must not make is approaching the match with less focus. Attitude will be fundamental; we must do the same things we did in Genoa. Nowadays on social media everyone talks, acts, discusses. We must remain focused on the final objective and turn all the criticism to our advantage.”
Does the strong presence of the ownership affect your future? Allegri said:
“I’ll say one thing, which is the most important. The club must always be the driving force behind everything. A strong club certainly manages to make everyone underneath work better, and it becomes easier to achieve results. The foundation of results depends on what the club is. The club drives everything. The ownership has always stayed alongside the team; in the last period they understood the importance and became even closer, and we are happy about that. Tomorrow, we hope to win and secure qualification for the Champions League.”
On the line-up:
“I will decide tomorrow morning. The important thing is having everyone available; the match is long. Cagliari are a team that can create difficulties for us. We must not overdo things and must stay organised for the full 100 minutes.”
How did this second training retreat come about? Modrić had kind words for you:
“Luka’s words pleased me, especially coming from him. Luka is an important example for everyone who has worked with him here at Milanello. As for the retreat, it was the players who asked to stay at Milanello. It’s very pleasant there. We have time to work and rest. It is an act of responsibility by the players to understand the importance of tomorrow’s match.”
Did you ever ask for a training retreat yourself?
“We’re talking about forty years ago, who remembers? (laughs).”
Would Galliani’s presence make you calmer?
“These are club dynamics. I have to think about being a coach, which is not easy. As for club dynamics, the ownership must think about doing what is best for Milan.”
What is Milan's true level?
“If tomorrow night we manage to qualify for the Champions League. If the lads give us this objective, the credit will belong to them. The position we occupy tomorrow night will be the position we deserve. A league table outlines the teams that deserved those positions.”
Will you ask Tare to stay?
“I repeat: club dynamics are not something I should interfere in. At this moment, 30 hours before the most important match of the year, talking about Allegri, Tare, Marco, it serves no purpose. What matters is staying focused on tomorrow evening’s match, which is the most important thing for everyone. It absolutely will not be easy. From Monday, once everything has settled, we will evaluate everything.”
Who will play next to Nkunku? Giménez, Füllkrug, Leão? How was Leão’s week?
“We also have Pulisic. All four attacking players are doing well. Tomorrow we will certainly have clearer ideas.”
Loftus-Cheek and Fofana have also lacked goals...
“They certainly could have done more. They both have all the qualities to have a better scoring average in the future. Ruben also got injured. One thing is having a good season, another is having a great season — and everything depends on tomorrow’s result.”
Do you feel like the guardian of Milanismo at this moment? How do you feel this closeness from the fans, almost pressing?
“The most important thing is always to do your profession with passion and love, trying to achieve results. I had the fortune to work with Cellino, Berlusconi and Agnelli. It’s not true that ownership is detached or less passionate. The commitment — and Cardinale showed it by coming to Genoa — is very important. Milan has its own history and DNA, which must be respected: everyone who works at Milan must have the passion to achieve results. When someone works with maximum passion and professionalism, nothing should be held against them. I am not the saviour of anything. I only know that I have an extraordinary group of lads who tomorrow must give us the objective of the season, and they must do it together with the fans. The stadium will be packed and they will have to help us because it will be a difficult match.”
Can Leão and Pulisic still give more to Milan?
“I believe they are two players who can still give a lot to Milan; they are two technical players. They have been troubled by injuries. Leão had the calf problem, then the pubic issue. Tomorrow we have 100 minutes; everyone is doing well and they will need to play a great match.”
On possible changes within the club:
“I can say one thing: until Monday we cannot say anything. Until Genoa we were all dead. After Genoa, we are all alive. Tomorrow we have the chance to stay alive. Results shift opinion one way or another. Tomorrow only the result matters, even more so. It’s there in front of us, so we have to take it.”
On choosing the players:
“Tomorrow whoever steps onto the pitch will certainly produce a strong performance in terms of attitude. They will not get the attitude wrong. Those who start and those who come on. Tomorrow they have this great objective in front of them: everyone wants to go and play in the Champions League next year.”
Does Allegri want to stay at Milan? Will he ask for conditions? Would he stay with Ibra and Furlani?
"It’s not a matter of people but of tomorrow evening’s result. Talking about the future serves no purpose. Allegri asks for nothing. I have a contract with Milan and I am very happy to be at Milan. Tomorrow’s result will shift opinion one way or the other. If we qualify for the Champions League it will have been an excellent season; if we go to the Europa League, we will have failed. Let’s wait for tomorrow evening."
Are Marotta’s words about the second star an extra motivation for you?
“I don’t let the romantic side fall away. President Marotta’s words, and I congratulate him on the season, must be a motivation for all of Milan. Milan are one step away from the second star. The first step is finishing the season in the best possible way and then starting the next one with even more ambition. Even when we started this year, we had the ambition to do our maximum. If we are third now, it means we were not good enough to compete for the title.”
