Allegri: ‘Milan resilient, Maignan kept us alive, Leao wanted the penalty’

Max Allegri feels Milan were ‘resilient’ in their 3-1 victory away to Como, and admits Mike Maignan’s saves ‘kept us alive,’ explaining what happened with Rafael Leao on the penalty.

The Rossoneri had a rough start and were pinned back for most of the first half, trailing to the Marc-Oliver Kempf header, but Christopher Nkunku’s penalty on the stroke of half-time kept them alive.

Mike Maignan’s saves and the brace from unexpected hero Adrien Rabiot turned it around, as Milan inflicted the first home defeat of the season on Como.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Como 1-3 Milan

Milan changed their tactics several times during the game, starting with a four-man defence, moving to 4-3-3, then a 3-5-2 during the second half.

“We started playing with four midfielders in possession, trying to create more passing lines with Fofana, but we lost our unity after going behind and ran quite a few risks on their through balls and counter-attacks, so Maignan kept us alive,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

“Once we got back on level terms against a strong Como side that plays very well, and can be dangerous, I moved to three upfront, but after we turned it around and took the lead, I returned to how we started.

“We had other chances too, and so did Como. This is a very resilient team and it wanted the result at all costs.”

There was some tension around the penalty, as Rafael Leao seemed as if he wanted to step up, but Allegri dictated from the touchline that it would be Nkunku’s goal. He also appeared to be a little confused for the change of system.

“I wanted to give Leao a little more breathing room closer to Nkunku, then open out wide in possession,” explained the coach.

“He was marvellous on the second goal with that first touch to control the cross-field pass and give the assist to Rabiot.”

As always, Allegri did not watch as the spot-kick was taken.

“It’s true he wanted to take the penalty, he is a specialist too, but at that moment I felt that Nkunku should take it. I heard half of the crowd in the stands cheering and was afraid he’d missed it, but then I saw those on my bench celebrate.”

Niclas Fullkrug played as a substitute despite fracturing his toe only a few days ago, but with his characteristics can Milan try the 4-3-3 more often?

“He came on with the right spirit, but so did the others. Let’s just say it’s not easy to play against Como, and once you go behind, they keep creating chances,” explained Allegri.

“At that stage, I preferred to bolster the midfield by putting Leao and Saelemaekers out wide to tamp down that Como enthusiasm. Maignan kept us in the game.

“We did well and were also fortunate to equalise with the penalty, but then the game changed completely after the restart.”

This result means Milan are now clear in second place, the only team within three points of leaders Inter to keep the Scudetto race alive.

They lost just one of the opening 20 rounds, which was the first against Cremonese, something the Diavolo only achieved in the three points for a win era in 1995-96 and 2003-04.