Allegri: Milan one of ‘four teams competing for three spots, Inter projecting 90 points’

Massimiliano Allegri believes that Milan are one of four teams competing for three Champions League spots at the top of the Serie A table, but is not factoring in Inter, who he thinks will run away in first place: ‘They have a projection of 90 points’. 

Milan sit in second place in the Serie A table and will travel to the Stadio Olimpico to take on the fourth-placed Roma, who are four points behind the Rossoneri ahead of kick-off. 

Milan have not lost in Serie A since their opening day defeat against Cremonese, and are now looking to extend their unbeaten league run to 21 matches. 

At the beginning of his pre-match press conference on Saturday, Allegri discussed the recent visit of Gerry Cardinale and the importance of finishing the 2025-26 season in the top four. 

“The visit from the ownership was pleasing for everyone. It’s an important stage of the season, we’re playing for Champions League qualification. We had a nice chat, it was a nice visit, we’re all very happy. Now, we just have to focus on the pitch,” Allegri told the press. 

“Tomorrow’s will be a good game against a team that is fighting against us for a spot in the top four. Gasperini is doing a great job. The formation is typical of the coach: They’re very good in the offensive phase as well as in defence.”

Allegri also gave a quick medical update ahead of the Roma clash. 

“We’ll do the final training session today and will evaluate. Saelemaekers was doing a lot better yesterday, and today I’ll evaluate whether to play him from the start. Gimenez is also progressing well, he’ll be a good resource for us at the end of the season. Leao is experiencing a little problem, but he is available as well as Fullkrug.” 

And when asked for clarification on Leao, Allegri said: “He has an inflammation around the pubis. He has to manage it, it’s a minimal amount of pain, but still annoying. 

“He’s doing well. We have four guys up top fighting for two places, so I have the opportunity to make more substitutions. The last 30 minutes are always decisive.”

Allegri was asked whether Milan or Roma are ‘more surprised’ to find themselves up in the Serie A top four. 

He replied: “Roma is not a surprise, I knew we’d see them up there with Gasperini. We’re looking at four teams competing for three places. I discount Inter: They’re doing very well and have a projection of 90 points. We hope that we (Italy) might get five teams in the Champions League, otherwise one gets left out.”

Allegri was also asked if there is a chance of seeing Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao start up front together against Roma. 

“We haven’t been able to play them together for various problems, but they’ve scored a lot of goals and that’s the important thing,” he said. “Minutes don’t matter, but the most important thing is that they’re effective. I don’t know whether they’ll start, I still have to decide.”  

And on Samuele Ricci, Allegri added: “I’m very happy with how he’s coming on. He’s a very intelligent player. In my opinion, the mezzala role suits him best because he plays more vertically and gets to shoot on goal. I think he does this better than playing as a deep-lying midfielder.” 

Allegri was asked about Milan’s potential business on the January transfer market. 

He said: “At the moment, all I can say is the arrival of Fullkrug was needed. He’s immediately given us a big hand. The club is looking at it and working hard. I’m very happy with the squad. I’ll repeat: Either we improve the squad or leave it as it is. 

“There are some young players we signed in the summer, like Athekame and Odogu, who are developing well, so I’m happy.” 

Sunday’s match will bring a reunion between Allegri and his former Juventus colleague Paulo Dybala. 

“I had the luck and pleasure of coaching him,” Allegri said. “He was just a boy when he first went there. Phenomenal technique, very intelligent on the pitch. He has amazing qualities and there aren’t many like him around. 

“He can take advantage with Malen because he now has another outlet up front.” 

There is another big Serie A match taking place on Sunday in Juventus vs. Napoli, but unlike Allegri, Luciano Spalletti and Antonio Conte decided against holding pre-match press conferences this weekend. 

“It’s their decisions, it’s not about me,” Allegri said when asked for his opinion. “My goal is clear: Last year, we didn’t qualify for the Champions League. This year we have to achieve that from a technical and financial point of view. It’s fundamentally important for a great Serie A team to compete in the Champions League. The money raised from the Champions League is used by the club to manage in the transfer window and to plan a brighter future. 

“The other day, the turnovers of all football clubs came out. Real Madrid has a turnover of over one billion, Arsenal 800 million, Bayern 975, and the gap to the Italian teams is too big. A team like Milan has to get to the Champions League out of necessity.”