2 hours ago
30
Massimiliano Allegri has spoken to the media after his AC Milan side grabbed their first home win of 2026 at San Siro. A huge result, indeed.
After a big win against Como in midweek, Milan faced a challenge that they have struggled with all season, facing one of the ‘smaller’ teams in the league. Regularly, the Rossoneri have stumbled when it has mattered, and it has significantly affected their chance of a Scudetto.
However, things may be turning, even after the two draws against Genoa and Fiorentina at the start of the New Year.
On Sunday night, the Diavolo dominated, but they did eventually get their goal, even if it took 20 efforts on goal, thanks to Niclas Fullkrug.
Allegri’s review of Milan-Lecce
Speaking after the game, Allegri touched on several topics, including the fact that Fullkrug’s goal was the sixth scored by a substitute this season. MilanNews have relayed his words to DAZN.
Sixth goal with substitutions… And on Fullkrug…
“It’s all the components. With five substitutions and the way football is these days, substitutions become crucial. Whoever comes on must raise the bar and, especially at certain moments of the game like tonight, when Fullkrug was needed in the penalty area, also be more mentally fresh.
“The boys played well, just as they did in Como. It shows that they’re a wonderful group that’s on an important path. We’re still halfway there; we still have a lot of points to gain to reach the goal we set out for.”
Is it possible to see Fullkgrug with Pulisic and Leao from the start?
“He’s arrived now, he hadn’t trained much recently against West Ham, then he took this knock on the foot… It’s an important solution for these final stages of matches, just like in Como and today. I think we can play Pulisic and Leao, whether it’s Nkunku and Pulisic, Nkunku and Leao…
“The thing we need to do better is precision in the final passes. With two players like that, we can get inside with a bit more ball on the ground, having a bit of patience. Being a little more clear-headed, quicker and not too hasty in the final 20 meters like we did in the first half.
“They played with a very high defence and didn’t run away much. We just needed to get further with the crescent to try to avoid offside; a few balls over the midfielders wouldn’t have been bad. Then in the second half, they dropped off a bit, and we increased the revs.
“This is a good sign in terms of ball speed and running. Lecce had conceded 32 goals before today, but the 55% of those 32 were conceded in the last quarter of an hour. It’s synonymous with a team that keeps you in the game, making it very difficult to score against them, and the boys did well.”
Milan is up 15 points from last year with the second-best attack and second-best defence. But it seems like there’s still plenty of room for improvement. How are you doing after these close matches?
“We’re in a good position, just look at us physically. It’s normal for these close-quarter matches to stress you more mentally than physically. Jashari had a really good game today, both in terms of dribbling and the intensity of his runs.
“Ricci had a good game, but Ricci plays as a midfielder, which I think is a role he does very well. He’s intelligent, he provides coverage, he pairs up with the deep-lying playmaker, and at the same time, he’s vertical when he has to get inside.
“Estupinan came back; it wasn’t easy for him, and he also had a good game. There’s a good spirit, and when you play with 15 men, it has its advantages.
When will you stop saying that the goal is fourth place?
“When we’re mathematically in the top four. There’s still time. As of today, I repeat, the Champions League odds are 74. While the Scudetto odds are 86/88. Juventus is fifth with 39 points, averaging two points per game and 17 matches, reaching 73.
“If they get more than two points per game, their Champions League odds will rise. Whether they get more than two points per game, we’ll see over time; in the meantime, this is their Champions League odds.”
The coach also spoke to MilanTV, with the words relayed by MilanNews.
A clear victory…
“The best thing about tonight was seeing Milan attacking, but also good at preventing the ball in defence.”
Now you head to Rome…
“I’m satisfied, yes, the boys are doing well. Now, however, we have three important and difficult away matches ahead of us, against Roma, Bologna, and Pisa.”
About Niclas Füllkrug…
“He’s a guy with incredible enthusiasm; it’s very important for us to have a guy like him at our disposal.”
A different group…
“This group has become a team. We know we did something important tonight, but next Sunday we play Roma, and it will be another test for us, a very important one. We’re happy, but let’s focus on Roma now.”
On Rabiot…
“He’s a player fit for the Champions League final. He’s got a special engine, and above all, great athleticism. Like everyone else, we’re happy to have him here at Milan.”
English (US) ·