Former Juventus defender Benatia: ‘I love Allegri’ but reflects on 2019 fall-out | OneFootball

Former Juventus and Roma defender Mehdi Benatia, currently sporting director at Marseille, has said “I love Allegri, we respect each-other,” but confessed “we argued in the past, I won’t deny it.”

Benatia played for the Bianconeri whilst Allegri was head coach and the two famously fell out when Leonardo Bonucci returned to Juventus from Milan.

The Moroccan had formed a solid partnership with Giorgio Chiellini whilst Bonucci was in Rossoneri colours and Allegri promised the defender he would play.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to 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)

Speaking to the Corriere dello Sport, Benatia admitted as much, “He promised me I’d play even after Bonucci returned. And you know how it went? Five matches, zero appearances for Benatia.”

Benatia hails Allegri as ‘perfect for Milan’

Benatia described his mistreatment at Juventus as “a cold shower that proved decisive for my departure,” and in January 2019, the Moroccan left Italy for Al-Duhail in Qatar.

However, the former defender was complimentary of his old coach in the end.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri gestures 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)

Benatia described the Italian as “a great coach, perfect for Milan”, as the Rossoneri boss has had a decent start to life back in Lombardy.

Milan currently sit in 3rd place, with three wins and one defeat in their opening four games. After the opening day loss to Cremonese, Milan are yet to concede a goal – testament to Allegri’s tactics and philosophy.