Massimiliano Allegri downplayed concerns about Christian Pulisic's goal drought and confirmed players to replace the injured Luka Modric. He refrained from discussing the potential sale of Rafael Leao ahead of the match against Sassuolo.
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Allegri on Pulisic, Leao and Champions League target: āSome values donāt changeā
Massimiliano Allegri insists that he is not concerned by Christian Pulisicās lack of goals in 2026, has confirmed the players that are in line to replace the injured Luka Modric, but avoided commenting on the topic of a potential sale of Rafael Leao this summer.
The Rossoneri tactician sat down for his customary pre-match press conference on Saturday ahead of his sideās upcoming test against Sassuolo on Saturday.
Allegri began his press conference with a word of remembrance for former Formula One driver-turned Paralympian Alex Zanardi, who has died at the age of 59: āItās right to remember Zanardi, an example in life, an example of human and sporting values. He put professionalism and passion into sport. My condolences to his family. He has amazing values.ā
The topic of discussion soon reverted to the task at hand in Serie A. One of the biggest conundrums facing Allegri is how to place Luka Modric, who will miss the remainder of the season after fracturing his cheekbone against Juventus last weekend.
āWeāre very sorry about this bad injury, which will keep him out until the end of the season, even if he has a big desire to come back,ā Allegri commented.
Allegri stated he is not concerned about Pulisic's lack of goals in 2026.
Allegri confirmed the players lined up to replace the injured Luka Modric but did not specify names.
Allegri avoided commenting on the potential sale of Rafael Leao.
Milan's next match against Sassuolo is scheduled for Saturday.
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āHe shows so much passion for the work he does and I hope this has been a lesson for the other players. We have great players to replace him, either Jashari or Ricci, who have grown a lot and in whom I have a lot of confidence.
āJashari has grown a lot. Unfortunately he had a bad injury at the beginning of the season which kept him out for a long time. He has desire, heās curious, he has his whole future ahead of him and I think Milan made an excellent signing.ā
Allegri confirmed that he has recently sat down with Milanās senior management, but insisted: āItās normal. Evaluations arenāt just made about the future, but also on how the season has gone so far, even if the final evaluation will be made at the end of the season.
āWeāve created a base, but we need to get into the Champions League.ā
MILAN, ITALY ā MARCH 21: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Allegri was also asked for his opinion on the continuing refereeing scandal in Serie A: āI havenāt made up my mind, these are delicate subjects. The relevant bodies will evaluate. After everything thatās happened, the last round was a positive for the referees. They did a good job and psychologically it wasnāt easy.ā
All season, Allegri has insisted that returning to the Champions League is Milanās only focus. They are closing in on qualification, and with Inter set to win the Scudetto, potentially by the end of the weekend, is a second-place finish now the target for the Rossoneri?
āWe have to do our best,ā said Allegri. āWe have a difficult game tomorrow because Sassuolo have good technical ability and can score goals at any time. They have good players and a good coach.
āGrosso is the revelation of this Serie A season because heās grown a lot. Despite the difficulties of the early stages of his career, heās made big steps forwards. Tomorrow is the first of the last four, we have to face it with calmness because we canāt let the goal slip away.ā
Allegri was also asked if there is any possibility that Rafael Leao leaves the club during the summer transfer window.
MILAN, ITALY ā APRIL 26: Rafael Leao of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
He replied: āTalking about the market now makes no sense. One step at a time. We want to return to playing in the Champions League and the whole group has to be focused on that. Then, at the end of the season, we will all make evaluations to see if we can improve the work weāve done this year.ā
Allegri also commented on summer signing Christopher Nkunku: āHe has great technical qualities. Heās had difficulties, but heās scored goals. Maybe from tomorrow the strikers will start scoring again. We donāt discuss the (financial) value of the player. There are different factors that can make him do well one year and not in another.ā
Santiago Gimenez has recently returned from injury but has found it difficult to break into the side since then.
āHeās a player who arrived last year, then had the immediate ankle problem. Heās an important player. Unfortunately the injury has kept him out for four or five months this year, and returning at the end of the season isnāt easy, especially for the tempo. Heās committed, heās a valuable player despite this bad year.ā
Christian Pulisic has not struggled for opportunities, but remains without a goal in 2026.
āPulisic is an important player for Milan and itās difficult to find players as good as him,ā Allegri insisted. āYou donāt have to look at whether or not the players do well or donāt do well in a certain year, there are some values that donāt change.
MILAN, ITALY ā APRIL 11: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan reacts after seeing his team concede a third goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
āHeās been missing that goal in recent games, but heās been active. Right now, you have to put personal goals to one side and work for the team because our final target is too important. Those who play, those who come on, have to have an excellent attitude because thatās how we get the result, as well as doing well in defence and attack.ā