Allegri: ‘Positive Milan result, it was going so well against Roma’

Max Allegri insists Milan were on track for victory at the Stadio Olimpico until the Roma penalty. ‘It’s a positive result, but these incidents can happen.’

The Rossoneri thought that they were going to repeat the meeting these sides had at San Siro earlier this season, when the Giallorossi dominated and were kept out by Mike Maignan only to lose 1-0.

Koni Di Winter nodded in a Luka Modric cross on a short corner to give them the lead, but this time Lorenzo Pellegrini did convert his penalty, whereas in November, Paulo Dybala was denied.

The statistics tell the story, with 15 shots to 5, and xG of 2.74 compared to just 0.35, although the second half was more balanced.

“I think the first 7-8 minutes were good, then Roma pushed us back, they kept getting to the second ball quicker than we did and were dangerous on these vertical passes,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

“Maignan did well to keep us in the game with some good saves. After the break, it was different, we did better on a technical level and Roma also lost some of their intensity.

“Once we had taken the lead, the match seemed to be on track, but these incidents can happen. We leave with a positive result, as coming to the Olimpico and getting a point at this stage of the season is very important.

“We gained a point on Napoli and maintained Roma at the same distance they were before.”

This result means that Milan remain in second place, but slide five points behind leaders Inter, albeit opening up a five-point gap from fifth-placed Juventus.

“Roma pushed hard, there is always one team that pushes more than the other, but we were more aggressive in the second half,” insisted Allegri.

“Against a pressing style like theirs, we have to pass around them with long triangles. We allowed them three or four chances with mistakes passing out from the back, when we should’ve been more precise, rather than leaving Gabbia one-on-one.

“Once we were in front, we were defending well, but just when it all seemed to be going our way, the penalty came along.

“Before that, I got the sensation it was easier for us to go 2-0 up than for Roma to get a goal for 1-1.”

They are now unbeaten in 21 Serie A rounds, since the opening weekend defeat to Cremonese in August 2025.

January signing Niclas Fullkrug came off the bench late on along with Christian Pulisic, while Rafael Leao was trying to form a partnership with Christopher Nkunku.

“They are all important players. When I had to make changes, Leao and Nkunku were improving, but I needed someone good in the air with the determination of Pulisic who could kill off the game,” explained Allegri.

“Of course, the moment you think one thing, something else happens.”