Allegri: ‘Milan cannot keep conceding such soft goals’ | OneFootball

Max Allegri admits Milan ‘cannot keep conceding such soft goals’ after a surprising home defeat to Cremonese. ‘We don’t sense danger, we need more determination.’

The Rossoneri started the season precisely where they left off, being jeered by their own fans at San Siro following a shocking 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Cremonese.

It was the worst possible debut for Allegri on the bench, as he had not been there for the 2-0 Coppa Italia victory over Bari last week due to a touchline ban.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Luka Modric of AC Milan runs with the ball whilst under pressure from David Okereke of Cremonese during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“If we look at the performance, we had eight shots on goal, but the difference is made with the determination with which you attack and defend,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

“We conceded two avoidable goals that we could’ve prevented with a little more concentration. Fortunately, it is only the first round and we have time to work on these details.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Milan 1-2 Cremonese

Allegri identifies Milan weaknesses

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

While Luka Modric and Pervis Estupinan were the only new signings in the starting XI, the former Brighton and Hove Albion full-back was substituted at half-time after struggling to defend in Serie A.

Ardon Jashari was only a late substitute, while Samuele Ricci remained on the bench, so does Allegri need more reinforcements?

“I don’t think it was an issue of a player missing or not. When you play in Serie A, you meet tough opponents like Cremonese who fully deserved the victory by playing a smart defensive match and we made two errors.

“It’s not about the squad, it’s about having a little more determination, both on and off the ball.”

Allegri put Milan in a 3-5-2 formation that could mutate to a 4-3-3 with the positions of Estupinan and Alexis Saelemaekers.

“It’s always complicated in the first match of the season. These are games where you need to keep a clean sheet, we managed to get it back on track at half-time, created some good chances to score and didn’t take them.

“We knew Cremonese had good crossers and should’ve covered the box better than we did. We need to improve in these situations, because we cannot afford to concede two goals in every game.

“Considering the goals we conceded, clearly the defensive phase is where we need to improve. We don’t sense danger effectively. There were five of us in the box against three, so you cannot allow a free header, just as you cannot let Pezzella run to the by-line alone.”

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Players of AC Milan applaud the fans after their side’s defeat in the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

While Strahinja Pavlovic made a big mistake for the first goal, and scored the equaliser, it was also noted that Santiago Gimenez was sluggish when tracking back to help the defence on both Cremonese goals.

The Mexico international arrived late to pre-season and did not seem to be in good shape.

“Santiago did arrive late and isn’t fully fit. He did the best he could tonight, had a big chance at the end with a header and it didn’t go well,” confessed Allegri.

“We must all prepare in a certain way, because we cannot keep conceding such soft goals.”

It had been hoped that Allegri would help bring stability to a Milan side that struggled so badly last season, but the atmosphere in the stadium felt somewhat negative too.

“Regardless of what happened last season, we need to turn the negatives into positives,” concluded the coach.

“Lecce are a good team for next week and always tough, we must be prepared to play rough games. If we only want to play pretty, we’ll risk drawing or losing against anyone, the way we did tonight.”