Everything Allegri said about Milan, Vlahovic, Cremonese defeat and Lecce redemption | OneFootball

Massimiliano Allegri claims that he has never ‘asked for’ Dusan Vlahovic, has highlighted where Milan went wrong in their 2-1 defeat against Cremonese last weekend, and has given his pre-match assessment ahead of Friday evening’s trip to Lecce in Serie A.

The Rossoneri head coach sat down for his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon ahead of the Serie A clash between Lecce and Milan, kicking off at 19.45 on Friday evening.

Allegri on Milan 1-2 Cremonese and Lecce redemption opportunity

Despite picking up a routine 2-0 victory over Bari in the first round of the Coppa Italia, Milan’s league campaign got off to a rocky start with a shock 2-1 defeat at home against newly-promoted Cremonese.

“There’s definitely a big desire for redemption within the squad after the mistakes that were made against Cremonese,” Allegri said while reflecting on last weekend’s result.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Federico Baschirotto of Cremonese scores his team’s first goal 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)

“It was an unexpected defeat. With a bit more focus in the situations surrounding their goals, we could have gone home with the victory. Lecce are a very fast, very organised team and playing in Lecce is never easy.”

Do Milan need new signings before the end of the transfer window?

Allegri was also asked if he has any worries heading into the final few days of the summer transfer window, with suggestions that the Rossoneri still need two new centre-forwards.

“The last days of the transfer window don’t scare me,” Allegri said.

“By now, we’ve become accustomed to these stories during the last days of the window. The club is thinking about the market and is working to bring in the players we need, with the aim of getting to March in a decent position in the standings.

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)

“Santi Gimenez is a very good player. I’ve known him for about 20 days and he’s the only striker we have. He’s a good player and we expect a lot from him.

“We talk to Furlani, Tare, Ibra and Moncada. The input is that there has to be sustainability. Tomorrow, we have a very difficult game, and the club will take care of the rest.

“We’ve spoken with the club, but the club knows about opportunities on the market, I do a different job. I’m here to work with the team on a daily basis, and I’ll repeat: I’m very happy with the whole team I have available. We just have to go ahead and work.”

Allegri confirmed that he will be without summer signing Ardon Jashari against Lecce. The Switzerland international is currently the most expensive signing of the Serie A summer transfer window.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Ardon Jashari of AC Milan in action during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and SSC Bari at Stadio San Siro on August 17, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Jashari is a great player first and foremost. Unfortunately, he got hurt today in a clash with Gimenez, so he won’t be there tomorrow,” Allegri confirmed.

Returning to the subject of the Cremonese defeat, Allegri pointed out the areas where he feels Milan need to improve.

“In the two mistakes we made in the 90 minutes, we conceded two goals. We have to lower, if not eliminate these errors. I still don’t know who will play tomorrow.

“The first thing to do is to work and not talk. By working, we will create more attention in the defensive phases. We hope to not concede goals tomorrow, but we can’t just remove this deficit in a week or a month, but I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of this problem.”

Where Milan need to improve on the pitch

Allegri was also asked to explain the differences between Milan in pre-season and Milan at the start of the season proper.

He replied: “Football can’t be explained, it’s played, as I often say. We conceded from two crosses where we were well positioned against Cremonese, but we conceded goals due to mistakes. With Bari, however, despite the 2-0 win, we conceded four shots on goal and Maignan made two important saves. Even against Chelsea we conceded avoidable goals. Even in Perth, in the last friendly, we suffered three or four situations against a team with objective limitations.

“After the match against Bari, seeing Maignan’s two saves and the other two shots we conceded, there was a bit of an alarm. Defensively, we also performed well against Cremonese, but we made mistakes in the moments before the two goals, so we need to work.

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)

“With Bari, we took more risks than we did against Cremonese. But that’s football. Maybe next time we’re in a bad place, the cross ends up going out of the stadium.”

Allegri on Rabiot and Vlahovic

Allegri was also asked to respond to the rumours that he is unhappy or unsettled at Milan.

“It’s not true. I’m used to being with the club. And, the players I coach for me, are the best”

And when asked if he wants more defensive additions before the end of the transfer window, Allegri replied: “I don’t know if there’s a need, but we have to create the conditions to win. And when I talk about the defensive phase, I’m talking about the whole team. We have to win.”

Has Allegri had any communications with his former Juventus colleague Adrien Rabiot, who has been linked with a move from Marseille to Milan?

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 23: Adrian Rabiot of France looks on before the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Croatia and France at Stade de France on March 23, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)

“Absolutely not. Since the holidays, we’ve not spoken again. He’s a player I’m fond of because we’ve worked together in the past.”

And similarly, Allegri confirms that he has not made any specific requests to bring Dusan Vlahovic to San Siro.

“I never asked for Dusan Vlahovic. He is a Juventus player. I spoke with the club about the characteristics of the players (we need) and the things that can be done. If players with different characteristics arrive, we will make it work.”