MAX ALLEGRI ANGERED: MILAN REPEATS "SIMPLE MISTAKES" IN COPPA ITALIA EXIT
Max Allegri confessed Milan repeated their "simple mistakes" and failed to capitalise on control, leading to a Coppa Italia Round of 16 loss to Lazio.
Max Allegri admitted AC Milan missed key scoring chances against Lazio in the Coppa Italia and kept repeating their mistake of making cheap errors when it seemed like they were in control.
Milan had won 1-0 against Lazio in Serie A at San Siro on Saturday, amidst some controversy. This time, the situation was reversed at the Stadio Olimpico.
There were complaints about the corner that led to Mattia Zaccagni's winning header. Some believed the ball should have been ruled a goal kick because it might have hit Alessio Romagnoli after the Pervis Estupinan header.
VAR couldn't review this, but the marking was also weak, allowing Zaccagni a free header.
Allegri acknowledged Milan's recurring problem:
Lazio won a game where we had more issues compared to Saturday. We misplaced passes a few times, giving them opportunities, Allegri told Sport Mediaset.
It was a slow game. Whoever scored first would likely win. We didn't take our chances and conceded on a corner where we could have defended better. We were in control but made three or four simple mistakes, giving away free kicks and corners. This has happened against Cremonese and Pisa this season, too. When we are in charge but don't capitalise, it becomes dangerous. We have to get better.
Rafael Leao's missed shot felt like the turning point. He blasted a loose ball over the goal from eight yards, which allowed Lazio to regain control at 0-0.
Leao had a good chance tonight. He moved well inside and outside the area. When he's not near the goal, other players need to fill those spaces. He played for the team. We need everyone to keep doing that. It's a loss, but our goal is still to get back into the Champions League next season.
When asked if they needed a forward to score more, Allegri said, "Pulisic and Leao have scored 10 goals together." We also have Gimenez returning from injury. We need more goals from the midfielders, but we also need to be more focused during certain moments in the game.
Ardon Jashari, a summer signing who broke his leg in August, made his first start for Milan, with a lot of squad rotation.
Jashari and Ricci played well, and those who came on did okay. It's disappointing to be out of the Coppa Italia because we wanted to go all the way. But now we need to get ready for our next Serie A game in Turin.
Milan lost the Coppa Italia final 1-0 to Bologna at this stadium last season. This year, their tournament ended in the Round of 16.
Now, they can only focus on Serie A, where they are tied for first place with Napoli. When asked, is this a setback?
Allegri replied, "No, not at all." It's normal to be upset about being knocked out, but we need to look ahead. We have two Serie A games before the Supercoppa Italiana.
Allegri was reminded that Napoli had a similar season last year. They lost their first Serie A game and were knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the Round of 16, but then won the Scudetto.
The coach smiled and said, Do you know how many times Milan has won away against Torino in Serie A in the last 12 years? Once, during COVID, behind closed doors. So we need to focus on getting points in that game.
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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