Allegri assistant aware it’s ‘not the same’ for Milan during coach ban | OneFootball

Max Allegri’s assistant manager Marco Landucci explains the return of Christian Pulisic against Udinese and assures it is ‘not the same’ without the coach on the touchline.

It kicks off at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s three Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Allegri a strong presence on Milan touchline

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Rossoneri will have to do without coach Allegri on the touchline this evening, as he picked up a one-match touchline ban for his furious response to the VAR call in their 1-0 win over Bologna.

“It’s not the same with me, I’ll have to do it tonight and then on Wednesday, but I hope that’ll be the last time I need to be there for this season,” Landucci told Sky Sport Italia.

The reason he is back on the bench on Tuesday against Lecce is that Allegri also has a Coppa Italia touchline ban left over from his last experience in the competition with Juventus.

This is a tricky test, as Udinese are unbeaten this season and sit ahead of Milan in the table with seven points.

That is also thanks to their 2-1 victory away to Inter at San Siro, confirming they raise their game for the big matches.

“Udinese are a very physical side, but technically gifted too. They play football that is simple, but very effective, and we expect them to come out fighting, so we’ve got to start even more intense than them,” continued Landucci.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mate Santiago Gimenez after scoring their team’s second goal during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and SSC Bari at Stadio San Siro on August 17, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Milan are forced to do without injured Mike Maignan, Rafael Leao and Ardon Jashari, but a tactical change was made too, as Pulisic steps in for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

“Christian is a hitman, he scored a lot of goals, and he is an added value for the team. We spoke to Ruben, he is doing very well too and this decision is not because of anything he did, but substitutions are decisive now with the five changes, so we need everyone throughout the match.”

Santiago Gimenez is starting to feel the pressure over a lack of goals, even if he has been working for the Milan team.

“He is playing very well, naturally goals mean a lot to strikers, but he is putting himself at the disposal of the squad and the goal will arrive sooner or later,” concluded Landucci.