Leao

Max Allegri feels Rafael Leao works higher as a centre-forward as a result of he’s much less more likely to ‘go to sleep’ and sees defenders being ‘much less frenetic’ in

It was a reshuffled squad, with Christian Pulisic, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic solely match for the bench, so Davide Bartesaghi dropped into the three-man defence.

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The primary half was poor and stuffed with errors, however they broke by with Rafael Leao assembly the Adrien Rabiot roll throughout straight after the restart.

Allegri sees Milan progress

CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Rafael Leao of Milan makes an attempt a aim in the course of the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photograph by Enrico Locci/Getty Pictures)

“When Leao performs on the left, he can often go to sleep and drop out of the sport,”

“He has the traits to do effectively within the centre, however he wasn’t 100 per cent match at this time and didn’t assault the area in the suitable method in the course of the first half. Nonetheless, he’s scored six Serie A targets this season, regardless of lacking fairly just a few video games by damage.”

CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Massimiliano Allegri, coach of Milan, reacts in the course of the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photograph by Enrico Locci/Getty Pictures)

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For the twelfth time this season, Milan scored with their first shot on the right track, confirming their scientific nature.

“Within the first half we allowed three photographs on the right track within the first couple of minutes, so I used to be frightened, however as time wore on we bought into the sport,” continued Allegri.

“We had been additionally slipping and sliding so much on the market, the passes had been misplaced, however within the second half Cagliari misplaced depth and we stepped up a gear. We had extra probabilities to attain a second the place we completely ought to’ve completed higher.”

Milan have largely struggled in opposition to the so-called smaller groups this season, however with back-to-back wins over Hellas Verona and Cagliari, they appear to have turned a nook.

CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Matteo Prati of Cagliari and Youssouf Fofana of Milan battle for the ball in the course of the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photograph by Enrico Locci/Getty Pictures)

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The absence of their first-choice defenders had beforehand triggered a panic, however Allegri’s work with the youthful gamers is paying off.

“Taking part in for Milan shouldn’t be straightforward, so De Winter, Bartesaghi, Estupinan, Tomori and others are getting higher by way of health and particular person efficiency. They’re beginning to study to defend otherwise, with out shifting a lot, they learn the conditions higher and will not be so frenetic. De Winter cleared a few harmful balls together with his head very effectively this night.”

Niclas Fullkrug made his debut simply hours after finishing the mortgage transfer from West Ham United, enjoying the ultimate 20 minutes and sending Pulisic by to power a save from Elia Caprile.

CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Rafael Leao of AC Milan leaves the pitch in the course of the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photograph by Enrico Locci/Getty Pictures)

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This consequence places Milan briefly on high of the Serie A desk, leapfrogging rivals Inter, they usually have 9 clear sheets in 17 rounds.

“It’s too early to say something, there are 5 groups in three or 4 factors. A win at this time was essential, so was a clear sheet, as we had been coming off a run of video games the place we conceded repeatedly,” famous Allegri.

“We should proceed working, we all know it is vitally tough to go all the way in which, however the group spirit is sweet and even when there are errors, we play as a unit.”

Not like Inter and Napoli, the Rossoneri should not have the Champions League or Coppa Italia commitments in January.

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“We’ve got quite a lot of video games too, so I don’t assume it’ll make that large a distinction. Once they inform us to play, we play, it’s not an enormous concern, we simply attempt to do our greatest. Now we’ve bought one other arising on Thursday in opposition to Genoa, who’re a tricky opponent, and we’ll preserve working with nice enthusiasm,” concluded Allegri.