Allegri: Our goal is to return to the Champions League. Leo soleus has problems with his soleus and cannot play

At 2:45 am on September 15, in the third round of the 2025-26 Serie A, AC Milan will play against Bologna at home. Before the game, Milan coach Allegri attended the press conference and talked about some of the current situation of the team.

The game about tomorrow

-Today basically marks the beginning of the season. Tomorrow we will play against Bologna, who are no longer dark horses in the league, but are used to being at the top of the standings. They are fast, skilled, and have high competition intensity. We lost our first game at home and although the performance wasn't bad, we lost two avoidable goals and we need to do better tomorrow.

Do you think the team is ready?

-I don't know, but tomorrow we're going to play and we need to win. The team has brought in three new players, I am very satisfied with the current lineup, the club has done a great job, and the young and experienced players have a good combination. We all know it will be a tough road and our goal is to return to the Champions League.

Regarding the team's injury situation

- Leo has a problem with soleus muscles, he will not be able to play tomorrow, and he will likely miss the game against Udinese. Esturpinian is fine, and Pulici has no problem with his hands. Is the

team lineup sufficient to deal with this season?

- Our lineup this season is enough to cope with the game, we have 19 non-goalkeeper players, and U23 players.

Is Rabiot ready?

—We sent messages to each other in early June, but we did not contact each other during the transfer window. He is in good health and Nkunku is lacking in physical fitness because he does not train with the team at Chelsea. I think he can play for 25 to 30 minutes. I need to evaluate Rabiot's situation today and tomorrow.

Enkunku is in pretty good health. Barentine has a very good attitude and is very smart. After returning from the national team, S-Jimenez is in good shape, don't forget that he joined in the middle of last season and he needs to adapt, and I think he will have a great season this year.

Can Milan lead Serie A?

- I am very happy that we are working hard and the players are actively involved: they are eager to improve and improve. The winning or losing of the season is often decided between March and May, and by March we should be at our best to win our chances. We need to maintain a balance, neither blindly optimistic nor pessimistic. As for the game against Cremonese, we have tried our best...

Will tomorrow's game be the same as last season?

—The fait accompli cannot be changed, let us strive to look forward to tomorrow's game. Bologna is technically and organised, with the turning point of a season often only two or three key games, but it is too early to draw conclusions.

Can this team send three forwards and three midfielders at the same time?

-It depends on the timing, the players' status and their physical condition. What is important is that the team can understand each stage of the game, and having a team that can understand the rhythm of the game is a great advantage.

Many people say that if Vlahovic is available, the team will definitely be in the top four. So, what about Nkunku and S-Jimenez?

—When someone says that you can win with someone and you can’t do without someone, I just laugh it off. There are too many variables on the football field, and you must be good at dealing with accidents. We can only work hard with enthusiasm to create conditions and strive to win the competition. The rest is empty talk, nothing is certain, the only thing that can be certain is that we need to work hard.

Regarding the possibility of Milan vs. Como in Perth

- The authorities will decide these things, whether you like it or not, all sports will change, you must accept and control the situation, and make sure everything goes well anyway. If they let us go to Perth, we go to Perth; if the game is held in Italy, we are in Italy.

What is your impression of Nkunku?

- A good player can tell at a glance that Nkunku is really outstanding, he just needs to find his best condition. As for Leo? Let's wait and see.

About Pulisic

-Today's football matches can replace 5 players, substitutions are more critical than starting lineups, because the last half hour of the game will change.

With a strong aid like Rabiot, is Milan’s goal to be the top three or strive to be the first?

- The club is very good at seizing opportunities, and Nkunku, Esturpinian and all new players have improved the team's level. We need to train hard and see what we will achieve in March. We need to approach our goals step by step with calmness and confidence, which cannot be determined in one game. We need to lay a solid foundation so that we can be prepared when the key game arrives.

We need to keep an open mind because difficult moments will follow. A team wins does not mean better, and losing does not mean worse. The players' values ​​are the same. We need to find team cohesion with the help of 10 new players… The more they play together, the faster they grow, and I am very confident about it.

Are you satisfied with the improvement of the defense line?

- I am very satisfied with Derwinter's arrival, the problem with the defense is that the entire team must operate in a specific way. The defenders’ personal level is improving, and most importantly, everyone is eager to make progress and challenge themselves every day.

S-Jimenez and Leo can score 20 goals?

- I don't know, but everyone needs to have the ambition and determination to score these goals. The same goes for Chick, he can't help but score goals. Rabiot promises to score 10 goals? I hope he can score 8 goals.

About Atkame and Odogu

—Odogu is very smart and has strong acceptance. Atkame is absolutely reliable and if I decide to let him play tomorrow, I believe he will play a great game.

What mark do you want the team to leave?

- This is not a question of formation, but about the characteristics of the players. Then I will simplify it, although sometimes when I say that, someone will… but the key is to score goals and not concede.

About Ricky

-I am very satisfied with Ricky, he has made some physical improvements, he is constantly moving forward, and I am very happy.

Statistically speaking, Milan performed well in the first two games

- there is still a lot of work to be done, we did not concede goals in Lecce, but there were some avoidable situations, and the players knew this. We need to improve our goal rate, which is what we know.

Now some people say that the pressure is on Allegri...

- This is normal, I am the head coach of Milan. The most important thing is to work for the club, and everyone has to work in that direction.