Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri refuses to blame Christian Pulisic for his mistakes in front of goal against Fiorentina and admits he is testing a four-man defence.
Milan visits Cesc Fábregas’s Como tomorrow at the Stadio Sinigaglia in a rescheduled match from Week 16 of Serie A.
The Rossoneri will travel to Como without the injured Niclas Fullkrug and Strahinja Pavlović, but Rafael Leao is fit and expected to start.
Milan are unbeaten in 18 league games, but visit Como after two consecutive draws against Genoa and Fiorentina, who sit in the bottom half of the table.
Como vs Milan – Allegri’s pre-match press conference
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri watches 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)
“We have 40 points, they are what we won on the field and it is a good base. Nobody can take them away from us,” Allegri said in a press conference on Wednesday via Milannews.
“Now we have to think about the next 19 games, the second half of the season, and add points to stay in the top four.
“It’s not Fabregas against Allegri, it’s Como against Milan. Fabregas is doing an excellent job; he is a lively Como who presses well and is technically strong. He is doing a great job even if he has only been training for two or three years.
“We need to go back to being a little more ruthless during matches. There are times when we are a little fragile in both phases,” Allegri continued.
“And we need to improve certain game situations, especially to be more technically precise. The players have great quality, but we have to convince them that they are a strong team.”
Milan had great opportunities to take the lead under Pulisic in the first half against Fiorentina, but Pietro Comuzzo gave the Tuscans the lead in the second half, while Christopher Nkunku tied the score with a last-minute goal for the Rossoneri.
“On Sunday, after 15 minutes, we had already scored three times with Pulisic. If you score, the strategy is correct; if not… everything is judged by the result,” Allegri said.
Allegri: ‘Maybe Pulisic will score again tomorrow’
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 8: Referee Maurizio Mariani talks to Christian Pulisic of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 8, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Against Roma at home, we had half an hour of terror, then we went ahead and in the second half we had four or five chances to score. That’s football. Then there are unexpected events that we have to manage.
“The ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ don’t get you anywhere. What if Pulisic had scored three goals in Florence… he didn’t? He had scored before, and maybe he’ll score again tomorrow. We have to focus on our performances and improve our mental concentration. We are in the second half of the season and there is no more time to make up for mistakes.”
Milan have mainly used a 3-5-2 system since the start of the season, but Allegri is also testing a four-man defense at Milanello.
“That could be a solution. It’s something I’m thinking about and we’re working on it,” admitted the Milan coach.
“It depends on the moment and the characteristics of the available players. Right now Fullkrug is out and if I played with three forwards I wouldn’t have anyone on the bench. In Florence I was able to make important changes. I have to choose a lineup, regardless of the system, that also allows me to have options on the bench.”
Milan sit second in the Serie A table, with rivals Napoli and Inter earning a spectacular 2-2 draw at the San Siro on Sunday.
“It was a really good match; they played well technically. The intensity doesn’t come from running; running is just a component if the ball moves quickly,” Allegri said.
“Intensity comes from the ball, not from running. Apart from 2022-23, Inter have not finished outside the top two in the last six years. I think Napoli have missed the Champions League only twice in the last 12 years; they have done an important job.”
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