Milan 0-3 Udinese – Allegri claims ‘the fans were right to boo’ & admits ‘our Champions League spot is at risk’
Massimiliano Allegri delivered one of his most candid and sobering post-match assessments of the season after Milan were soundly beaten 3-0 at home by Udinese, admitting that their Champions League qualification is now genuinely under threat and that the supporters were entirely justified in voicing their frustration.
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The Milan head coach was in no mood to deflect responsibility or find excuses, addressing each difficult question with characteristic directness. On a formation change that some had pointed to as a factor, he was emphatic.
“The change of system has absolutely nothing to do with it,” he told DAZN, with quotes via MilanNews.
“This is a difficult moment for the team. We have lost three of our last four and failed to score in four games during the second half of the season. If you are in the top four, going four games without scoring is simply not good enough.”
Allegri was equally frank about the defensive fragility that allowed Udinese to score three times, particularly on the second goal. “We were defending in a disorganised way because we were too hasty,” he said.
“On the second goal we were three against one. We need to return to being organised and clear-headed, because we still have every possibility of making the Champions League.”
When pushed on whether the Champions League place was genuinely at risk, Allegri did not flinch.
“Football is beautiful but also cruel,” he said. “We must not be swept away by events. We need to restore order in how we manage matches.”
On the supporters’ reaction at full time, the Milan coach was disarmingly honest.
“It is part of football,” he said. “When you win you are good, when you lose you are not. It was right that they booed us today.”
Milan 0-3 Udinese – Allegri: ‘Champions League place at risk’
He was also willing to acknowledge what he believed lay behind the team’s dip in form, the psychological impact of losing the title race.
“You are absolutely right,” he said, when asked whether the squad had subconsciously relaxed after the Scudetto dream faded.
“When you are at the top, in the final stages of the season, and you lose that objective, there is a moment of relaxation. But this defeat tells us clearly that our Champions League place is at risk.”
On speculation about Leão’s long-term future at the club, Allegri was measured, noting the Portuguese winger had created two significant chances in the first half.
“It is not a question of Rafa or anyone else individually, it is about performing differently, with more patience in the defensive phase.”