MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri insists he’s not seeking revenge on his former club Juventus, but hints that Rafael Leao may start on the bench again: ‘Practically, he has just started the season.’
Allegri previewed tomorrow’s Serie A clash between his Milan side and Juventus at a press conference on Saturday.
It will be a special return for him at the Allianz Stadium, where he spent eight years and won several titles, including five Scudetti.
Allegri: ‘Normal week’ ahead of Juventus vs. Milan
“It’s been a normal week for me. Obviously, there are feelings involved after eight years at Juventus, and I hope to spend eight years at Milan as well,” Allegri said via Milannews.
“Tomorrow is an important game against a team that hasn’t lost a game yet. It will be a great match to play.
“We have to remain focused on the ultimate goal; Milan must return to playing in the Champions League,” Allegri continued.
“To do that, we need to keep working; there are still many matches and many points left. There will also be difficult moments, but we have to keep working to reach our objective.”
Former Basketball head coach Dan Peterson visited Milan and Allegri earlier this week.
“It was a nice visit. For me, he’s always been a great coach,” said the Rossoneri boss.
“We talked about football and basketball; he still has extraordinary energy. You can always learn something from someone like him.”
Allegri controversially left Juventus in 2024 after winning the Coppa Italia for the Bianconeri.
He still had a year left in his contract at the Allianz Stadium, but the previous director, Cristiano Giuntoli, sacked him after an epic outburst during the Coppa Italia award ceremony.
“It’s not a revenge. When I went to Juventus, I thanked Milan for the previous four years. Before coming back here, I thanked Juventus,” said Allegri.
“Tomorrow is not a revenge game. It will be a good match. We’ll have to play a smart, tactical game. We defended well against Napoli, but we could have done better, especially on the penalty situation.”
Fikayo Tomori has been training with the rest of the team over the last few days, while Leao has completed the first week of work with his teammates as he returned from a calf injury last week.
Allegri: ‘Leao has practically just started the season’
“Tomori is available, Leao has had a good week, his first since August 17. I wanted to bring him on Sunday, but not that early. Leao is improving his fitness, and so is Nkunku,” Allegri said.
“Leao has practically just started the season. He’s very eager to do well. It’s not in my hands, it’s in his. Leao knows this is an important season for him. There’s an old saying: ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ He needs the team, and the team needs him.
“I’m happy with Ricci, he can both play in front of the defence or as a box-to-box. Ricci has grown a lot, and Nkunku has improved physically.”
Asked whether he’ll need to change the system to include Leao in the starting XI, Allegri replied: “I’ve learned one thing. Saying that tomorrow I’ll change things because it’s time to change doesn’t work. I’ll change when I truly feel that it’s time.”
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