COACH BOND CONFIRMED: ALLEGRI IS LIKE A FATHER TO RAFAEL LEAO BEFORE THE DERBY
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri discusses his "fatherly" relationship with Rafael Leao and the importance of the Derby della Madonnina against Inter. A win could see Milan top the Serie A table.
The main coach of AC Milan, Massimiliano Allegri, has discussed his connection with Rafael Leao, along with what he anticipates from the important match.
The first Milan match of the season is coming up, with the game starting at 20:45 CET, and it’s a great chance for Allegri and his team to prove what they can do. The 2-2 tie with Parma before the break was not a good outcome to go into the international games with, so a good response is needed. Allegri emphasised the importance of teamwork and strategy in the upcoming fixture, stating that every player must be at their best to secure a victory. He also noted that the support from the fans will be crucial in creating a strong atmosphere to motivate the team on the pitch.
Inter goes into the match with two more points in the standings, meaning they can increase their lead to five points with a victory. Or, the Rossoneri could pass their rivals and make the top of the league even closer, while also keeping up a recent positive trend in the match.
Allegri had a talk with DAZN that was shown the night before the match, and he gave more thoughts on the game after his press meeting. His words are from MilanNews.
Thinking about it, will the match leave you feeling good or bad?
“The outcome usually makes you feel good for the next few days. If the result is not good, it makes you feel a little sad, a little hurt, but we still have many other games to play. So we have to look at what happens tomorrow to try to get better.”
Leao said you were like a father to him; is that true?
“I was happy with what Rafa said, but I think my team and I need to be there to help the players and try to make them better physically, technically, and mentally. This is very important. I think Rafa has improved because he knows that a striker is judged by the goals he scores.”
Can Leao score 20 goals?
“Right now, he has four. Let’s hope he keeps going, then we’ll see (laughs).”
Rabiot will also be back – How much of an impact could he have? His return could be significant, as he brings not only skill but also experience to the midfield. Having him back in the squad will undoubtedly bolster our chances of success in the coming matches.
“He’s an important player. Milan has many of them, mixed with players who don’t have as much experience. But we’re trying to get some good results so we can reach our main goal, which is to get back into the Champions League.”
Rabiot said he hoped to win it with a goal in the 90th minute. Could that happen?
“The 90th minute is always better because it would be easier for you. You would struggle for 90 minutes, then you wouldn’t struggle as much at the end. No, we need to play well because Inter is very strong.”
“It’s not stressful. When you work at a big team like Milan, it’s normal to have a goal, which is to get back into the Champions League, because they need to play in the Champions League, which is their home, where they’ve won seven times.
You should also not hold back but instead aim high, and most importantly, try to get the greatest outcomes. If the greatest outcome is ending up in the first four spots, it shows that we did a good job getting there. If it means ending up higher, it means we have earned it. Also, the standings are honest: in the long run, the best team comes out on top.
How are you trying to help Gimenez and Nkunku feel more sure of themselves again?
Gimenez is still unable to play because of a problem with his ankle. Nkunku played very well against Roma; he had a harder time against Parma, but he is a very skilled player and will get better with time.
What is your favourite memory from the derby?
For sure, it’s the first one since that’s the one that we were able to win. After that, sadly, I was not able to win the last four games (laughs).
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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