Max Allegri feels Milan had been ‘resilient’ in , and admits Mike Maignan’s saves ‘saved us alive,’ explaining what occurred with Rafael Leao on the penalty.
The Rossoneri had a tough begin and had been pinned again for many of the first half, trailing to the Marc-Oliver Kempf header, however Christopher Nkunku’s penalty on the stroke of half-time saved them alive.
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Mike Maignan’s saves and the brace from surprising hero Adrien Rabiot turned it round, as Milan inflicted the primary dwelling defeat of the season on Como.
Milan modified their ways a number of occasions through the sport, beginning with a four-man defence, transferring to 4-3-3, then a 3-5-2 through the second half.
Allegri admits Milan had a troublesome evening with Como
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri points directions to his gamers through the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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“We began enjoying with 4 midfielders in possession, attempting to create extra passing traces with Fofana, however we misplaced our unity after going behind and ran fairly just a few dangers on their by way of balls and counter-attacks, so Maignan saved us alive,”
“As soon as we obtained again on degree phrases in opposition to a robust Como aspect that performs very nicely, and will be harmful, I moved to a few upfront, however after we turned it round and took the lead, I returned to how we began.
“We had different probabilities too, and so did Como. It is a very resilient group and it needed the end result in any respect prices.”
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Mike Maignan of AC Milan interacts with Rafael Leao through the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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There was some pressure across the penalty, as Rafael Leao appeared as if he needed to step up, however Allegri dictated from the touchline that it could be Nkunku’s objective. He additionally seemed to be a little bit confused for the change of system.
“I needed to provide Leao a little bit extra respiration room nearer to Nkunku, then open out large in possession,” defined the coach.
“He was marvellous on the second objective with that first contact to regulate the cross-field cross and provides the help to Rabiot.”
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan scores their group’s first objective from the penalty spot through the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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As at all times, Allegri didn’t watch because the spot-kick was taken.
“It’s true he needed to take the penalty, he’s a specialist too, however at that second I felt that Nkunku ought to take it. I heard half of the gang within the stands cheering and was afraid he’d missed it, however then I noticed these on my bench rejoice.”
Niclas Fullkrug performed as an alternative regardless of fracturing his toe just a few days in the past, however along with his traits can Milan attempt the 4-3-3 extra usually?
“He got here on with the proper spirit, however so did the others. Let’s simply say it’s not simple to play in opposition to Como, and when you go behind, they preserve creating probabilities,” defined Allegri.
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“At that stage, I most popular to bolster the midfield by placing Leao and Saelemaekers out large to tamp down that Como enthusiasm. Maignan saved us within the sport.
“We did nicely and had been additionally lucky to equalise with the penalty, however then the sport modified utterly after the restart.”
This end result means Milan are actually clear in second place, the one group inside three factors of leaders Inter to maintain the Scudetto race alive.
They misplaced simply one of many opening 20 rounds, which was the primary in opposition to Cremonese, one thing the Diavolo solely achieved within the three factors for a win period in 1995-96 and 2003-04.