GdS: What Allegri told the Milan squad in the dressing room after Lazio win

Massimiliano Allegri addressed the rest of the AC Milan squad in the dressing room after the 1-0 win over Lazio on Saturday night.

Just like the derby win over Inter in the game prior, Milan had to ride out some pressure from their opponents before striking with their first real attack in the second half. Rafael Leao was the one who got the match-winner this time, firing in a Fikayo Tomori cross from close range in a 1-0 victory.

Allegri’s speech

Before speaking, Allegri waited for Fikayo Tomori and Rafael Leao to finish their pitchside interviews. When they arrived in the dressing room, he gathered his men in a circle in the centre of the room.

The coach shares some thoughts with the team after every match, but Saturday’s words were particularly significant, and he delivered them with satisfaction. “You’re a great group, and I’m proud of you,” was the gist of his words.

Max feared that after the joy of the derby, there might be a subconscious decline, both in the intensity of training and in energy levels during key moments of the match. The team, however, didn’t betray him: they fought as if they were in a final, remaining organised and striking when the moment came.

Furthermore, they scored from a move they had practiced at Milanello. Tomori’s run from the three-man defence wasn’t picked up, and his cross found Leao’s striker-like movement to a central area.

Getting a response like this from a Milan side that finished eighth last season wasn’t a given, even for a winner like Allegri. And even though Max urged everyone to keep their feet on the ground and keep working hard, he was happy on Saturday night. And he didn’t want to hide it.