Allegri: Milan Must Avoid 'Disaster' in Champions League Race, Striker Form Not a Concern

Massimiliano Allegri, the coach of AC Milan, remains optimistic about his team's strikers' capacity to deliver crucial goals in the pursuit of a Champions League qualification. However, he cautions the squad against becoming overwhelmed by the pressure, emphasizing that succumbing to such circumstances would lead to a "disaster."

Speaking ahead of Milan's Serie A fixture against Udinese, Allegri addressed the recent dip in form, which saw the Rossoneri drop to third place in the standings after a loss to Napoli. He acknowledged the team's struggle to score in recent matches but stressed the importance of maintaining composure and clarity as they work towards their objective.

While Milan's early season performance had raised hopes of a title challenge, Allegri reiterated that the primary goal for the 2025-26 season is to secure a Champions League spot. He believes the team can improve and push closer to league leaders, even if they haven't been consistent enough to challenge for the Scudetto.

"There are seven matches left, and some teams are improving," Allegri noted. "During a season, there are moments when strikers score and others when they don't. But I'm sure that from now until the end, they'll score goals that will help us qualify for the Champions League."

Regarding specific players like Leao and Pulisic, who have faced injury setbacks, Allegri expressed that their fitness levels have been impacted, but he is confident in their ability to contribute. He also mentioned the adaptation period for new arrivals like Gimenez and Fullkrug, emphasizing that the team environment must remain positive.

"We have to reach our objective, whether we play with six forwards, eight, one or none," Allegri stated. "What matters is approaching matches proactively." He anticipates a challenging match against Udinese, describing them as a physical team that counters aggressively. Allegri concluded by reiterating the need for balance and clear thinking, warning that a loss of control would be detrimental.

Allegri also spoke about Santiago Gimenez's return from injury, acknowledging the natural period of adjustment. He stressed that the focus should be on the team's collective effort, with everyone, including himself, needing to elevate their performance. He expressed full confidence in the attacking players' quality and reminded that midfielders and defenders can also contribute to scoring, urging the team to remain a solid, united block through the end of the season.