Allegri: ‘Milan must not seek blame, but focus on Champions League spot’

Max Allegri insists Milan must ‘not try to lay blame’ and focus on locking down that Champions League spot after a 3-2 loss to Atalanta. ‘At least we’re back to scoring goals.’

The atmosphere was already tense before kick-off with the ultras protesting against CEO Giorgio Furlani and other club figures, but it was positively vicious by the time they went 3-0 down before the hour mark, with many walking out.

Ederson, Davide Zappacosta and Giacomo Raspadori had put Atalanta 3-0 up at San Siro, but there was a sting in the tail with a desperate fightback.

Strahinja Pavlovic’s header at the 88th minute and a Christopher Nkunku penalty at the 94th set up a fiery late push, but Matteo Gabbia’s header skimmed the upright for a potential 3-3.

“There’s no point talking about what has happened so far, because we cannot change it,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

“All we can do is work well over the next week and be ready for a game against Genoa that will be decisive for our Champions League qualification.

“Tonight had started fairly well for 10 minutes, then we conceded that goal at the first chance, after which we fell apart. In the second half, once we had gone 3-0 down, there was a strong reaction. At least we got back to scoring goals, I realise it might seem an odd thing to say, but that’s a good sign.”

Milan had not found the net on home turf since the 3-2 win over Torino in March, ending a drought of over 300 minutes of football here.

With two games left to play, they are now in joint fourth place on 67 points with Roma, one behind Juventus, and only two clear of Como in sixth.

“It is natural that nobody expected such a difficult moment. I thought there would be a dip during the course of an entire campaign, but right now we have to simply focus on the next game with Genoa, a side that has often had good results at home.

“We need enthusiasm and hunger to get this victory,” insisted Allegri.

To make matters worse, Rafael Leao, Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupinan will all be suspended for next week’s trip to Genoa, while Davide Bartesaghi went off injured and Christian Pulisic pulled out this morning with a muscular problem.

Leao ballooned several efforts into the stands before he was jeered when substituted, but the coach shrugged off questions about the Portugal international.

“I don’t think right now is a problem with Leao, Fullkrug, Nkunku, Gabbia, Maignan or anyone else. It’s a team issue. Rafa had opportunities tonight, he will be suspended next week, so we need to focus on preparing for the Genoa game.”

Incredibly, since beating Inter in the Derby della Madonnina to reopen the Scudetto race, they’ve crumbled with seven points from eight rounds.

Their last two games are away to Genoa and at home with Cagliari.

“Everyone playing the final two rounds together is logical, but it’s not up to us, so we’ll see when we are told that we can play. I cannot reproach these lads, they’ve been working well.”