Max Allegri urges Milan to focus on securing a Champions League spot instead of assigning blame after their 3-2 loss to Atalanta. The team faced protests from fans prior to the match, which escalated after falling behind.
Key points
Max Allegri emphasizes focus on Champions League qualification
Milan lost 3-2 to Atalanta
Protests from fans occurred before the match
Atalanta scored three goals before Milan's comeback
Milan's performance has raised concerns among supporters
Mentioned in this story
Max AllegriGiorgio Furlani
MilanAtalanta
Allegri: ‘Milan must not seek blame, but focus on Champions League spot’
Allegri: ‘Milan must not seek blame, but focus on Champions League spot’
Max Allegri insists Milan must ‘not try to lay blame’ and focus on locking down that Champions League spot after a 3-2 loss to Atalanta. ‘At least we’re back to scoring goals.’
The atmosphere was already tense before kick-off with the ultras protesting against CEO Giorgio Furlani and other club figures, but it was positively vicious by the time they went 3-0 down before the hour mark, with many walking out.
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MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“There’s no point talking about what has happened so far, because we cannot change it,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.
“All we can do is work well over the next week and be ready for a game against Genoa that will be decisive for our Champions League qualification.
“Tonight had started fairly well for 10 minutes, then we conceded that goal at the first chance, after which we fell apart. In the second half, once we had gone 3-0 down, there was a strong reaction. At least we got back to scoring goals, I realise it might seem an odd thing to say, but that’s a good sign.”
Milan had not found the net on home turf since the 3-2 win over Torino in March, ending a drought of over 300 minutes of football here.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Strahinja Pavlovic of AC Milan scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“It is natural that nobody expected such a difficult moment. I thought there would be a dip during the course of an entire campaign, but right now we have to simply focus on the next game with Genoa, a side that has often had good results at home.
“We need enthusiasm and hunger to get this victory,” insisted Allegri.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan scores his team’s second goal from a penalty kick during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Leao ballooned several efforts into the stands before he was jeered when substituted, but the coach shrugged off questions about the Portugal international.
“I don’t think right now is a problem with Leao, Fullkrug, Nkunku, Gabbia, Maignan or anyone else. It’s a team issue. Rafa had opportunities tonight, he will be suspended next week, so we need to focus on preparing for the Genoa game.”
Incredibly, since beating Inter in the Derby della Madonnina to reopen the Scudetto race, they’ve crumbled with seven points from eight rounds.
Their last two games are away to Genoa and at home with Cagliari.
ITALY – MAY 10: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected as he leaves the pitch after being substituted during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Everyone playing the final two rounds together is logical, but it’s not up to us, so we’ll see when we are told that we can play. I cannot reproach these lads, they’ve been working well.”
The tension between the fans and club figures is sky high, the ultras singling out CEO Furlani as the main figure to blame.
ITALY – MAY 10: Fans of AC Milan spell out “G.F OUT”, as they protest against Giorgio Furlani, Chief Executive Officer of AC Milan, prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“When results are lacking, I am the first person responsible, as I am the coach. These lads have always given their all, we mustn’t go looking for blame right now, but focus on how we achieved many victories this season and need to get two more.
“I said repeatedly that the Champions League spot was not locked down, despite what everyone else claimed, because I knew we hadn’t had a dip yet. The dip has arrived, now we’re got to finish it off,” concluded Allegri.
