San Siro awaits. For Massimiliano Allegri, the upcoming Serie A debut against Cremonese isn`t just another match; it`s a true homecoming. After a somewhat `ghost` debut in the Coppa Italia against Bari, where a touchline ban relegated him to a sky box like a forgotten VIP, tomorrow he steps back onto the hallowed turf. This time, he`ll be where he belongs: in the dugout, gazing up at the three tiers of the Meazza, reclaiming a stadium where he once delivered a Scudetto and a Supercoppa. The initial Coppa Italia outing was, by his own humble assessment, “so-so.” Now, with the league campaign kicking off, particularly against Cremonese and Lecce, that “so-so” must swiftly transform into a resounding “good.” With no European distractions on the calendar, there’s no place left for Milan to hide.
Allegri`s Blueprint: The Pursuit of Equilibrium
The veteran coach, appearing unusually jovial for a man often described as a tactical pragmatist with a penchant for poker faces, laid out his vision for the season. “In the league, we need to maintain a cruising speed, always travel at the same velocity, without ups and downs. That`s why equilibrium must reign within us.” It`s a mantra that speaks volumes about his seasoned approach: consistency over fireworks, stability over fleeting brilliance. The ultimate objective, he clarified, remains clear: “The goal is to play in the Champions League next year. It requires work, responsibility, and meticulous attention to detail.”
Allegri’s return is marked by a deep sense of pleasure, a reconnection with a club where he truly ascended from a provincial manager to a figure on football`s grandest stages. Reflecting on his year-long sabbatical post-Juventus, which he left with a trophy, he quipped, “Tomorrow is the first game after a year`s stop, let`s hope we don`t do too much damage…” A touch of self-deprecating humor, perhaps, but his desire for a victory gift from his players was undeniably earnest. Despite this, he quickly tempered expectations with a classic Allegri-ism: “It`s not that because Allegri is there, Milan wins. In big clubs, coaches and players don`t count, but the club. The club`s history counts, which must be respected. And when you are in a great club, you must feel the responsibility, you have to work not to make mistakes. Milan is above everyone.” A stark, traditional statement in an era often dominated by individual star power.
The Squad Revolution and Tactical Adjustments
The summer transfer window saw Milan undergo a significant, almost total, squad revolution. Allegri expressed satisfaction, noting, “The club has done a good job both in terms of departures and arrivals; we work together every day with the club, there`s shared understanding on objectives, the club is vigilant.” Despite the window still having ten days left, he voiced contentment with his current roster. The defensive line, a perennial point of discussion, received a pragmatic assessment: “Four central defenders are few? I wouldn`t say so, and two of them, like De Winter and Tomori, can play on the right, in addition to Jimenez and Athekame. It`s not a question of a three or four-man defense; it`s a question of the players` characteristics.” Logic, not dogma, seems to be his guide.
The midfield, meanwhile, features the seasoned wizardry of Luka Modric, the new “king” of Milan`s 2025 market. Allegri spoke admiringly: “He`s wonderful when he touches the ball, he touches it more with the outside than the inside.” A subtle nod to Modric`s unique style. Acknowledging the maestro`s age, he added, “He can`t have the physicality of twenty years ago, so we`ll try to manage the year in the best possible way. He has shown great availability, physically he is very well. He will be very useful also off the field.” Whether the nearly 40-year-old virtuoso will start tomorrow remains a “decision for this afternoon,” leaving fans in suspense. In a more direct challenge to his younger midfielders, Allegri stated, “Loftus-Cheek and Fofana must convince themselves that they can, by the end of the season, find themselves with 15 goals between them.” A clear target for two players whose offensive output has often been understated.
Regarding the impending arrival of Victor Boniface, Allegri remained diplomatically tight-lipped, adhering to his principle of not discussing players not yet officially registered. However, he reserved specific praise for Santiago Gimenez: “I am very happy with how he is performing, I hope he can last physically for the entire match tomorrow.”
The Road Ahead: Champions League Ambitions and the Ibrahimovic Factor
With a relatively gentle start to the league campaign featuring Cremonese and Lecce, Milan has an opportunity to build momentum. Allegri, ever the pragmatist, sees March as the new December for season-defining moments. “We must begin a journey that should bring us to an optimal position in the standings by March; that`s when the season is decided.” On the Scudetto, his pronouncements were modest, framing Milan as one of several contenders: “There`s a group of teams that will compete for the top four places, and we are among them.” It’s a statement of cautious ambition, perhaps a subtle acknowledgment of the squad`s transitional phase.
Finally, a brief mention of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now in a new role. Allegri mused, “I remained a coach; he changed profession. He is very intelligent, he is trying to understand, he is a point of reference for the players, and this must be an added value.” Ibrahimovic, it seems, is evolving from goal-scorer to guru, providing invaluable insight and leadership off the pitch.
As Allegri embarks on this new chapter with AC Milan, his focus is unwavering: build a balanced team, foster consistency, and aim for the coveted Champions League spots. It`s a pragmatic, unflashy approach, but one deeply rooted in the club`s history and the coach`s proven track record. The football world watches to see if equilibrium, Allegri`s chosen weapon, will once again guide the Rossoneri to success.
