AC Milan manager Max Allegri admits his team ‘cannot keep conceding such soft goals’ after a 2-1 home defeat to newly-promoted Cremonese in the Serie A opener.
Max Allegri’s first match back at AC Milan got off to a rocky start, with the team suffering a 2-1 defeat to Cremonese at San Siro.
Despite having eight shots on goal, Milan’s inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities was compounded by defensive errors that led to two avoidable goals. Allegri emphasized the need for more determination in both attack and defense, stating, “We conceded two avoidable goals that we could’ve prevented with a little more concentration.”
The Italian coach highlighted that his team’s struggles weren’t due to a lack of quality but rather a lack of focus and determination. “It’s not about the squad, it’s about having a little more determination, both on and off the ball,” Allegri said.
He also praised Cremonese for their smart defensive strategy, acknowledging that they fully deserved their victory.
One of the key issues Milan faced was their inability to “sense danger effectively” in defense. Allegri pointed out that having five players in the box against three should have been enough to prevent a free header, but his team’s lack of awareness led to critical mistakes.
Strahinja Pavlovic’s error on the first goal and Santiago Gimenez’s sluggish tracking back on both goals were notable examples.
Gimenez’s performance was impacted by his late arrival to pre-season training and lack of fitness. Allegri acknowledged this, saying, “Santiago did arrive late and isn’t fully fit. He did the best he could tonight, had a big chance at the end with a header and it didn’t go well.” The coach emphasized the need for all players to prepare properly to avoid conceding “soft goals.”
Despite the disappointing loss, Allegri remains optimistic about the season ahead. He believes that Milan can turn the negatives into positives and improve their performance.
The team’s next challenge will be against Lecce, a tough opponent that will require Milan to be prepared for a rough game. Allegri warned against playing “pretty” football, stating that it could lead to draws or losses.
