Allegri: ‘Important’ Milan victory, ‘We have to stay alert’ | OneFootball

Massimiliano Allegri credited his players for an ‘important’ 2-0 victory away against Cremonese in Serie A on Sunday afternoon, but says that all focus is already on the upcoming Derby d’Italia against rivals Inter next weekend now.

Milan left it late to seal a victory away against Cremonese in Serie A on Sunday afternoon: Strahinja Pavlovic breaking the deadlock in the 90th minute before a result-sealing winner from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of injury time.

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

Allegri reacts to Cremonese 0-2 Milan: ‘Have to stay alert’

CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Cremonese beat Milan in the reverse fixture on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season and they remain one of only two sides to have beaten the Rossoneri in the league so far this season.

It looked as if Davide Nicola’s side were going to claim four points from their two meetings with Milan until the final moments at the Stadio Giovanni Zini on Sunday. Speaking during his post-match interview, Allegri praised his side for the way they stayed switched on until the very end.

“Cremonese are a difficult team to play against,” Allegri said. “They kept a very high tempo in the first half and we had difficulty managing the ball. Estupinan came on and did very well, that’s proof I have an extraordinary group.

“Winning today was important, more than anything, to make up for the defeat against Parma, to get closer to our final goal and to help us prepare for the derby.”

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Allegri was asked why he only tends to avoid starting with three attacking players on the pitch, but often brings a third striker on when Milan are in need of a goal.

“Right now, it’s a solution for us in-game,” he said. “We had a moment with three attacking players at one specific moment in this game. Fullkrug is working on his condition, like Leao who has grown a lot.

“We could play with the double pivot in midfield or with three strikers, but at this point of the season, I’m not particularly interested in formations. The teams behind us continue scoring points and we have to take things one step at a time knowing that we’ve still got a long road ahead of us.”

Next up for the Rossoneri is the Derby della Madonnina against city rivals and runaway league leaders, Inter.

“You have to stay alert in those moments. They were good on the counter attack. Now we have a week to prepare for a wonderful match,” said Allegri.