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AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri has given an update on the injury situation, and previewed a very tough trip to face Cesc Fabregas’ Como.
Milan have had a mixed start to 2026, given that they followed up a narrow 1-0 win over Cagliari with draws against Genoa and Fiorentina. They needed last-gasp equalisers to rescue a point from games against the then-17th and 18th-placed sides in the league.
The trip to face Como away from home is a far more difficult task on paper. Their project keeps going from strength to strength and they have already caused issues for some of the big boys, currently sitting in the European spots.
Allegri’s pre-Como presser
It has been a busy day already for the Milan boss who carried the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games torch through a city near Novara this morning. Then, he arrived at Milanello to answer questions from journalists ahead of the Como game, with MilanNews relaying his words.
There’s a lot of talk about the points dropped against teams in the bottom half, but Milan still have 40 points. Deserved?
“We have 40 points, and they’re the ones we deserved on the pitch. It’s a good foundation, no one can take them away from us. Now we need to focus on the next 19 games, the second half of the season, to get the points we need to stay in the top four.”
You were one of the torchbearers this morning…
“It was a wonderful experience, there were so many people. Sport is a wonderful thing: there are rules, discipline. It’s very important for the growth of children and young people, who are educated.
“Sport educates, that’s why kids need to do a lot of sport. I really like skiing, now I go every now and then when I can and I have a lot of fun.”
Can you give us an injury update?
“Fullkrug is out, as is Pavlovic. Pavlovic has nine stitches, Fullkrug has this stubbed toe that will keep him out today, hopefully for Sunday, otherwise against Roma.”
What are Milan missing?
“We need to start being a little more aggressive in the game. There are times when we’re a little fragile in both phases. And then we need to improve the game situations, especially being more technically precise. The players have excellent qualities, they need to be convinced that they’re a strong team.”
You will face Cesc Fabregas…
“It’s not Fabregas versus Allegri, it’s Como versus Milan. Fabregas is doing a great job, he’s a lively Como side that presses well and is technically strong. He’s doing a great job despite only having been coaching for 2-3 years.”
How would you rate Milan’s season so far?
“It’s difficult for me to give grades. I can only say that all the teams in the league, if you ask the coaches, all say ‘ifs and buts.’ But ifs and buts don’t get you anywhere. Everyone has the points they deserve.
“Everyone has something to complain about… ‘If Pulisic had scored three goals in Florence…’ But he didn’t. But he did score them before, and maybe he’ll do it again tomorrow.
“We need to focus on our performances and improve our mental focus: we’re in the second half of the season and there’s no time to make amends.”
Milan are now conceding a few more goals…
“On Sunday we played in Florence, and after a golden quarter, we should have had three goals through Pulisic. If you score, the approach is right, but if you don’t… Everything depends on the result.
“Against Roma at home, we had a terrifying half-hour, then we took the lead, and in the second half we had four or five chances… that’s football. Then there are unexpected events, and you have to manage them. But every game is different.
“I agree that we went behind eight times, but we also recovered eight times: it depends on whether you see the glass half full or half empty. If everything were perfect, and in football that’s impossible, the games would all end 0-0 or the same team would always win.”
Did any ski champion inspire you in this passion of yours?
“First of all, good luck to Federica Brignone, but also to all the Italians participating in the Olympics. Tomba inspired me; when he came down, schools would shut down.
“We in Italy thrive on excellence, and we need to work on that. It’s a global sporting event that will bring so many people from different countries to Italy, and that’s a wonderful thing.”
How’s Leao doing? Is the team having a slump?
“During the season, there’s a moment when there’s a – let’s call it – slump, but it’s not a slump. And even if it were, it needs to be faced with great balance. It’s not like the season ends tomorrow in Como: you need to maintain balance, steady nerves, and broad shoulders.
“It was impossible for Juve to remain outside the top four. It’s normal for the league to be like this. Then, at the end of the season, it’s normal for someone to be left out. I hope the others, not us (laughs). Rafa is fine.”
Como have quite a wide field…
“Absolutely nothing changes. Regardless of the width of the pitch, the more space there is, the easier it is to play. We’ll be facing a team that’s difficult to play against: they’re the best in possession, they have the best defence.
“We’re facing a team that doesn’t have the responsibility of having to win, which gives them an advantage: they can play every game with the mentality that Fabregas instilled in them.”
They defend by getting forward and attacking. Is this the key?
“It could be that, but it could also be that they’re getting a chance at times but not conceding goals. The current theory that they defend better because they defend high up the pitch is proving them right. Maybe in two months’ time you’ll say the opposite. What’s certain is that they’re having a great season.”
Are Milan on the same level as Napoli and Inter, who drew on Sunday?
“It was a really good match, they played very well technically. Intensity isn’t created by running; running is a key factor if the ball travels quickly. Intensity is created by the ball, not by running. You have to chase the ball with your running, you can’t go fast.
“They played a good match technically. Inter have never finished outside the top two in the past six years, apart from 2022-23. Napoli, in the last 12 years, I think, have only been out of the Champions League for two years, they’ve done a very good job.
“Our goal, everyone’s, is to work to ensure Milan can participate in the Champions League next year. To do this, you have to work hard, go through good times and bad. And if there’s a bad moment, the team doesn’t lose value.
“The season is full of ups and downs. That’s why I say you always have to travel at cruising speed, which is what gets you to the end.”
Could we see some new tactics, like a back four?
“This could be a solution, it’s something I’m thinking about, we’re working on it, it depends on the times and the characteristics of the players I have available. Right now I have Fullkrug out, if I fielded three forwards I’d have no one on the bench.
“In Florence I was able to make important changes. I need to field a team, regardless of the playing system, also to have changes on the bench.”
Where is Gimenez at?
“Gimenez is doing well, but he’s still a long way from returning. We’ll talk about it again in March, at the end of March.”
Does Milan being talked down trigger a reaction of pride?
“We have to prove ourselves and aim for the best results to show that we are better. If someone is ahead of us, they must have been better and better. Nothing is impossible: if you start from this assumption, then maybe you can achieve what is possible.”
Are the midfielders not scoring enough?
“They’ll come. In the league, all the numbers eventually return to average. Defenders will start scoring from set pieces again. We need to have a lot of confidence because Milan is a strong team. We need to be strong, especially in moments like these.”
How important were the January arrivals in 2011?
“Two extraordinary players arrived. Van Bommel was wonderful, Antonio had extraordinary qualities. They were important. That doesn’t mean we need two players this year, the squad is fine as it is. The important thing is that we’re happy, and above all that I’m happy.”
So is the defence ok as it is? Can De Winter play in Pavlovic’s position?
“He’ll definitely do it tomorrow, Pavlovic won’t be there. He’s already played there, he’s improved a lot. It takes a lot of balance. There are players in their first year at Milan who have settled in very quickly.
“Getting used to the pressure of Milan also depends on making mistakes. I’m happy with the guys I have available: it’s a good group, and with them we’ll get to the end.”
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