Milan, Allegri: Leao and Pulisic ‘improving’, I ‘get emotional’ when I talk to Modric | OneFootball

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri says Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are ‘improving’ and admits he gets ‘a bit emotional’ when he talks to Luka Modric.

Milan host Parma at San Siro tomorrow in the Serie A Round 26.

Milan vs. Parma – Allegri’s pre-match press conference

BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 03: Massimiliano Allegri head coach of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AC Milan at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“It’s a very important game: 13 matches remain, so potentially 39 points are still available,” Allegri said at a press conference via Milannews.

“We hope we earn as many as possible. Everyone is doing well, including Pavlovic, who seemed at risk as we feared he had a broken fibula. Pulisic and Leao are improving, especially Pulisic. We are happy because everyone is available, and substitutions will be important,” Allegri continued.

“Parma have scored many goals in the last 30 minutes, so we’ll have to play well.

“Leao is doing well as a centre-forward. Stats say he makes fewer plays, but he’s more concrete and useful to the team, drawing less attention from an aesthetic standpoint. In practical terms, he has scored eight goals, playing little and in less-than-ideal conditions, like Pulisic. If they stay fit until the end of the season, they’ll give us a big contribution.”

Despite being 40, Modric has scored two goals and provided three assists in 24 Serie A matches this term.

The Croatia international has already played 2,054 minutes across all competitions this season.

“Hopefully, he continues like this until the end. He’s an extraordinary footballer; there are no words to describe him,” Allegri said.

PARMA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 08: Luka Modric of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AC Milan at Stadio Ennio Tardini on November 08, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“I get a bit emotional when I talk to him. Such champions have something to teach everyone.”

Adrien Rabiot will return to action after serving a one-game ban in the previous match against Como.

“Rabiot has improved so much; he’s much stronger than when he was at Juventus,” Allegri said.

“There are players with different characteristics, but I think players should not be caged.”

Allegri won’t be on the bench tomorrow, serving a one-game ban after receiving a red card against Como on Wednesday.

The Italian tactician also clashed with Como coach Cesc Fabregas after the game.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“It makes no sense to talk about what happened; let’s talk about tomorrow’s game, because Parma are doing well. They are very good defensively, and on set pieces, so we’ll need to be united and tidy,” Allegri said.

“Video evidence can’t be used in certain situations, so we continue like this,” he added later on, replying to a question about recent referee controversies.

“These incidents should be seen as opportunities to improve, but if we just let them go, we will always remain the same. We have to learn from mistakes, and what’s going on must be seen as an opportunity to grow, so we should not complain if we remain behind.

“It’s hard to say what should be done. I’ve always said, and I repeat, that objective incidents should not be wrongly judged. VAR can be improved in many ways, and I’m sure it will be done in the best way.”