Revealed: Max Allegri’s Stern Dressing Room Warning That Prevented AC Milan Collapse

Massimiliano Allegri delivered a dressing room ultimatum that helped prevent an AC Milan slump this season.

What Massimiliano Allegri Told AC Milan Players

Allegri has enjoyed an immediate impact at the San Siro, steering them into a fiercely contested Serie A title fight.

Milan are currently second in the table, just one point behind rivals Inter, and have defied all expectations after finishing eighth last campaign – and missing out on European football altogether.

However, it has not all been plain sailing.

Milan found themselves on the cusp of a crisis after being eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Lazio and suffering defeat by Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-finals in Riyadh in the space of a fortnight.

Furthermore, in the lead-up to Christmas, the sloppy Rossoneri conceded two goals in three consecutive matches. This came despite Allegri’s hard work at battening down the hatches at the back.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, it was at this point that the manager decided to issue a stern warning.

During a team meeting at Milanello, Milan’s training ground, on December 22, Allegri demanded a quick turnaround, laying out several non-negotiables.

He is said to have asked for the same level of concentration when out of possession and improved attention to detail, which he believed were missing against Torino, Sassuolo and Napoli.

With Allegri’s simple instructions ringing in their ears, Milan went on to beat Hellas Verona and Cagliari on either side of the turn of the New Year, failing to concede a single goal.

Massimiliano Allegri Must Be Backed With Signings

Despite Milan fighting into title contention, the club are unlikely to splash the cash on signings this month.

However, TV show host Andrea Longoni believes the hierarchy are making a mistake in not backing Allegri.

“AC Milan’s standings speak volumes and tell us that Massimiliano Allegri has produced a masterpiece so far,” he wrote in an editorial for MilanNews.

“He’s practically never had [Christian] Pulisic and [Rafael] Leao together, and his alternatives have definitely not been up to par. In short, he’s without a true striker.

“He’s got a truncated squad, with obvious gaps and a limited backline.

“Allegri’s also without a star defensive player, and he’s also lacking a solid replacement for Theo [Hernandez]. He’s brought in [Davide] Bartesaghi, who last year, remember, played for Milan Futuro.

“Objectively, what more could you ask of him? Nothing. Not even, at the moment, a sparkling game.”

They are active in the market, though, with the loan signing of Niclas Fullkrug announced on Friday.