Allegri: ‘Milan ran risk of throwing everything away, not done yet’ | OneFootball

Max Allegri admits Milan ‘ran the risk of throwing away everything we built this year’ until finally beating Genoa. ‘We haven’t achieved anything yet’ for the Champions League.

It was a nervous afternoon at Marassi, because with the other results at half-time, the Rossoneri knew that they were out of the Champions League places.

That scare woke them up, as they came out fighting for the restart, breaking through with a Christopher Nkunku penalty.

Zachary Athekame drilled in low from the edge of the area to seal the victory, despite a Genoa fightback through Johan Vasquez.

Allegri was feeling Milan pressure

GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Massimiliano Allegri, head coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

“There was a lot of pressure and we ran the risk of throwing away everything we had built during this year,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

“We haven’t achieved anything yet, there is one more game to play on home turf against Cagliari, and we hope to do it then. I have to thank my players, those who work and have to stay close to me, who have to put up with me.

“There is a week to go before the objective is secured. We’re pleased, the club was present in the stands today in the form of Gerry Cardinale.”

Allegri was stalking the touchline endlessly during the match, especially in the nearly 10 minutes of stoppages, but his jacket remained on his shoulders for once.

“The jacket stayed on, as I was too wrapped up in the game,” explained the coach.

“We did well in stoppages not to let Genoa get near us, and we had a chance to go 3-1 up with Pulisic. We hope to get the victory at home, especially as we’ve managed just one point in the last three games at San Siro.”

GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Massimiliano Allegri, head coach of Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Rafael Leao, Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupinan were suspended today, with Luka Modric back on the bench just three weeks after surgery for a fractured cheekbone.

“I had no doubts that those who stepped in would give a strong response,” added Allegri.

“We were a little too chaotic recently, conceded some goals far too easily, which is not our usual style. We did well defending today and were also a little fortunate.

“Jashari had a good game in a role he is slowly adapting to. I am very pleased. It’s a real pleasure to work with Luka Modric, to see how much love and passion he still has for this sport. He was desperate to come on today, but I preferred Loftus-Cheek, who is strong in the air.

“Modric put himself at our disposal, it’s a wonderful thing and ought to be a lesson to all players and children who want to get into this sport. Football is a marvellous game, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but the passion must never waver.

“I’ve coached a few champions in my time, and never once have I encountered one without that love for the sport.”

GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Lorenzo Colombo of Genoa (left) and Strahinja Pavlovic of Milan vie for the ball during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

It means Milan are now joint third with Roma, so their fate is in their hands and Champions League football is guaranteed as long as they beat Cagliari at San Siro next week.

Both of them managed to leapfrog Juventus, who were surprisingly beaten 2-0 at home by Fiorentina.

“Until we get to the finish line, we’ve always got to be alert. Gian Piero Gasperini has done a great job at Roma, a place that is very difficult to work in, and it’s a natural progression of his career,” concluded Allegri.