Milan, Allegri: Napoli are ‘title favourites’, ‘great respect’ for Conte | OneFootball

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has ‘great respect’ for Antonio Conte and insists Napoli remain ‘favourites’ to win the Serie A title.

Allegri spoke at a press conference on Saturday on the eve of a big Serie A match against the Partenopei at San Siro.

Napoli have had a perfect start with four wins in the opening four league games, while Milan have collected nine points with three victories and one defeat.

Allegri’s press conference ahead of Milan vs. Napoli

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to 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)

“Tomorrow we face Napoli, who deservedly won the Scudetto last season,” Allegri told reporters via Milannews.

“They had an important transfer window, and I still believe they’re the favourites for the title. Conte is excellent at getting the best out of players. In their last 26 games, they won 18 times. In recent years, Milan have always lost at home against Napoli. We hope to overturn those numbers. It will certainly be a great match.

“It’s a great game, the first big match of the season. It will be an important test,” Allegri continued.

“We’re in good physical and mental condition, and we’ve also recovered Leao. The more we work, the more we get to know each other. We have to be aware of the difficulties we’ll encounter. We need to play good 100 minutes.”

Allegri replaced Conte as the Juventus coach in the summer of 2014. When asked whether he had recently been in touch with his next opponent, Allegri replied: “No, we haven’t spoken. Conte’s teams don’t give much away. It’s hard to score against them. I remember Juventus, Inter and last year Napoli. They conceded few goals, which helped them win the title. I don’t need to say it. Conte’s numbers speak for themselves.

“I have great respect for Antonio; he’s a great professional,” Allegri concluded.

Allegri and Conte dominated Serie A

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli gestures during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“Everyone has their character. Maybe we are as different as we are similar. He’s achieved great results in his career, and he’s still doing so.”

Allegri and Conte are the most successful Serie A coaches in recent years, having won 11 of the last 15 domestic titles.

Allegri won six Scudetti, one with Milan and five with Juventus, while Conte has won three with the Old Lady, one with Inter and one with Napoli.