Massimiliano Allegri believes that Milan are certainly one of 4 groups competing for 3 Champions League spots on the prime of the Serie A desk, however is just not factoring in Inter, who he thinks will run away in first place: ‘They’ve a projection of 90 factors’.
Milan sit in second place within the Serie A desk and can journey to the Stadio Olimpico to tackle the fourth-placed Roma, who’re 4 factors behind the Rossoneri forward of kick-off.
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Milan haven’t misplaced in Serie A since their opening day defeat towards Cremonese, and at the moment are trying to lengthen their unbeaten league run to 21 matches.
Allegri on Roma vs. Milan, prime 4 race, Leao, Cardinale and membership funds
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri seems on throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
Firstly of his pre-match press convention on Saturday, Allegri mentioned and the significance of ending the 2025-26 season within the prime 4.
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“The go to from the possession was pleasing for everybody. It’s an necessary stage of the season, we’re enjoying for Champions League qualification. We had a pleasant chat, it was a pleasant go to, we’re all very glad. Now, we simply must deal with the pitch,” Allegri the press.
“Tomorrow’s might be an excellent recreation towards a workforce that’s preventing towards us for a spot within the prime 4. Gasperini is doing an incredible job. The formation is typical of the coach: They’re superb within the offensive section in addition to in defence.”
Allegri additionally gave a fast medical replace forward of the Roma conflict.
“We’ll do the ultimate coaching session at the moment and can consider. Saelemaekers was doing rather a lot higher yesterday, and at the moment I’ll consider whether or not to play him from the beginning. Gimenez can be progressing nicely, he’ll be an excellent useful resource for us on the finish of the season. Leao is experiencing slightly drawback, however he’s obtainable in addition to Fullkrug.”
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And when requested for clarification on Leao, Allegri stated: “He has an irritation across the pubis. He has to handle it, it’s a minimal quantity of ache, however nonetheless annoying.
“He’s doing nicely. We’ve got 4 guys up prime preventing for 2 locations, so I’ve the chance to make extra substitutions. The final half-hour are at all times decisive.”
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Rafael Leao of AC Milan reacts throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
Allegri was requested whether or not Milan or Roma are ‘extra shocked’ to seek out themselves up within the Serie A prime 4.
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He replied: “Roma is just not a shock, I knew we’d see them up there with Gasperini. We’re taking a look at 4 groups competing for 3 locations. I low cost Inter: They’re doing very nicely and have a projection of 90 factors. We hope that we (Italy) would possibly get 5 groups within the Champions League, in any other case one will get overlooked.”
Allegri was additionally requested if there’s a probability of seeing Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao begin up entrance collectively towards Roma.
“We haven’t been in a position to play them collectively for varied issues, however they’ve scored quite a lot of objectives and that’s the necessary factor,” he stated. “Minutes don’t matter, however a very powerful factor is that they’re efficient. I don’t know whether or not they’ll begin, I nonetheless must resolve.”
And on Samuele Ricci, Allegri added: “I’m very proud of how he’s approaching. He’s a really clever participant. In my view, the mezzala function fits him finest as a result of he performs extra vertically and will get to shoot on objective. I feel he does this higher than enjoying as a deep-lying midfielder.”
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Allegri was requested about Milan’s potential enterprise on the January switch market.
He stated: “In the intervening time, all I can say is the arrival of Fullkrug was wanted. He’s instantly given us a giant hand. The membership is taking a look at it and dealing exhausting. I’m very proud of the squad. I’ll repeat: Both we enhance the squad or depart it as it’s.
“There are some younger gamers we signed in the summertime, like Athekame and Odogu, who’re creating nicely, so I’m glad.”
Sunday’s match will deliver a reunion between Allegri and his former Juventus colleague Paulo Dybala.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma celebrates a objective throughout the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Picture by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photographs)
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“I had the luck and pleasure of teaching him,” Allegri stated. “He was only a boy when he first went there. Phenomenal approach, very clever on the pitch. He has superb qualities and there aren’t many like him round.
“He can take benefit with Malen as a result of he now has one other outlet up entrance.”
There’s one other huge Serie A match happening on Sunday in Juventus vs. Napoli, however in contrast to Allegri, Luciano Spalletti and Antonio Conte this weekend.
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Antonio Conte (R), Head Coach of SSC Napoli, and Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, shake fingers previous to the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photographs)
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“It’s their choices, it’s not about me,” Allegri stated when requested for his opinion. “My objective is evident: Final 12 months, we didn’t qualify for the Champions League. This 12 months we’ve got to attain that from a technical and monetary perspective. It’s essentially necessary for an incredible Serie A workforce to compete within the Champions League. The cash raised from the Champions League is utilized by the membership to handle within the switch window and to plan a brighter future.
“The opposite day, the turnovers of all soccer golf equipment got here out. Actual Madrid has a turnover of over one billion, Arsenal 800 million, Bayern 975, and the hole to the Italian groups is simply too huge. A workforce like Milan has to get to the Champions League out of necessity.”