No distractions, no dips in intensity. For a Milan outside Europe, the Coppa Italia is a priority. Not as high as a top-four finish, which brings Champions League football in 2026-27, but Allegri wants to start his second Milan spell with a trophy.
'Scudetto' is off-limits at Milanello and the Supercoppa in Riyadh in December depends on the semifinal with Napoli and a potential final against Inter or Bologna. The key now is not to blow the chance to lift the Coppa Italia in Rome on May 13.
Napoli come to San Siro on Sunday, top of the league, but Allegri is not calculating. He will not field a second team. The objective is to progress and face Lazio in the round of 16. Concentration is total.
On Mediaset and Milan TV, Allegri was clear: "The Coppa Italia is a target. We will talk about the league again from Wednesday. Now there is a knockout match to win at all costs because we want to progress. It will not be easy: we only have ninety minutes to secure the win and avoid a penalty shootout." The coach knows anything can happen in penalties and wants to resolve the match earlier. He will start with a team making four or five changes at most from the side that won in Udine. If possible, more key players will be substituted in the second half.
Maignan will not risk a start. Modric gets a rest (Ricci comes in) to prepare for Sunday’s match against Napoli. Pulisic will start on the bench. In attack, Nkunku will start his first game as a Rossoneri starter (“He is feeling better”) and Gimenez, still goalless this season (“He has played well and had chances, maybe he will score against Lecce”). Rabiot is untouchable. The team will hold its final training session at Milanello this morning, working on set-pieces and penalties. Allegri will decide between Loftus-Cheek and Fofana in midfield. Gabbia may sit out in defense, with De Winter replacing him.
The goalkeeper position is uncertain. After yesterday’s training, Maignan starting is not guaranteed; Terracciano is likely to keep the goal Sunday. Leao may return against Napoli, but he will be in the stands tonight. "We will evaluate him Thursday and Friday and then decide if he is available." After a forty-day break, it is unlikely he starts against the Italian champions. In the Coppa Italia, Estupinian will also rest tonight, replaced by Bartesaghi.
Allegri frames the match as a mental challenge. Winning breeds confidence and reinforces certainty. Preparing for Napoli is easier if the round of 16 is secured. The prospect of a fourth trophy in a row, including Serie A, motivates him. "For the players, reaching Rome in May is always special because the final is a wonderful night. To get there, we need a path, which this year started much earlier. We need the right approach and respect for Lecce, who play well and have zero pressure against us. Let’s forget last season’s league win at the Stadio del Mare," as relayed via La Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
Allegri serves his second Coppa Italia suspension; Landucci is on the bench. Allegri has lifted the Coppa Italia five times, more than anyone. He is still hungry. The players need to follow his example.
