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Allegri: ‘Milan approached both halves badly, stay calm, Champions League not at risk’

3 May 2026 at 19:54

Massimiliano Allegri says that he understands his fan’s frustrations, but has urged for calm after watching his Milan side fall to a disappointing 2-0 defeat away against Sassuolo on Sunday afternoon. 

The Rossoneri conceded within the first few minutes of both halves; Domenico Berardi finding the net after five minutes and Armand Lauriente after 47, which means that they have now won just one of their last five matches in Serie A. Now, the Rossoneri could potentially slip down to fourth place by the end of Sunday evening. 

Click here to follow the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches.

Allegri responds after Sassuolo 2-0 Milan: ‘We approached both halves badly’

“We approached both halves badly, especially the second. We threw it away, that’s how it’s going in this period. You can’t waste 10 months of work. Now we have to think about Atalanta,” said Allegri in a post-match interview with DAZN (via TMW).

SASSUOLO, ITALY - MAY 03: Massimiliano Allegri,Head Coach of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 03, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 03: Massimiliano Allegri,Head Coach of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 03, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

“Technically, we made a lot of mistakes. It was a bad day, a bad Sunday. We have to meet again on Tuesday and work to fix it.” 

Despite the fact that Milan have not yet secured a Champions League spot for next season, Allegri has no doubt that the Rossoneri will finish the 2025-26 season in the all-important top four. 

“It’s not at risk. I would be very happy to confirm it on the final day as well, I’ve always said it. I am with the team every day and this is a difficult moment. We have to stay calm and take responsibility, we have to prepare as best we can for the game against Atalanta.

“We’ve done 10 months of good work, we’re in the final stretch. We haven’t done very well in the second half of the season, we can’t change that anymore. We just have to look ahead.

“Until the end, we have to stay grounded and work to overcome these moments of difficulty. I understand the fans, we all wanted to get over the finish line quickly, but we can’t get anxious.” 

SASSUOLO, ITALY - MAY 03: Fabio Maresca, referee of the match shows a red card to Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 03, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 03: Fabio Maresca, referee of the match shows a red card to Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 03, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Allegri does not deny the fact that the sending off of Fikayo Tomori after 24 minutes had a big impact on proceedings, but didn’t appear too critical of his centre-back, despite his two early yellow cards. 

“The sending off conditioned the game. These things happen. The important thing is to get back up quickly. We need two positive results to get into the Champions League, let’s just think about that.” 

Allegri was also asked why he decided to take off Christopher Nkunku for Zachary Athekame at the half-time interval. 

“I wanted to take the game forward as much as possible and give some balance, but it didn’t help because we immediately conceded.” 

Milan loudly jeered by supporters after 2-0 Sassuolo defeat

3 May 2026 at 19:31

It was an afternoon to forget for Milan, who fell to a 2-0 defeat away against Sassuolo in Serie A on Sunday, and were then loudly booed by their travelling supporters in an awkward moment after the full-time whistle. 

What happened after full-time of Sassuolo 2-0 Milan?

An early strike from Domenico Berardi was followed by a goal from Armand Lauriente to send Sassuolo 2-0 up against Milan, who had been playing with 10 men since the 24th minute after Fikayo Tomori was sent off for two yellow card offences. 

SASSUOLO, ITALY - MAY 03: Armand Laurienté of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 03, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 03: Armand Laurienté of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 03, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Click here to see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

It has been a disappointing end to the 2025-26 season for Milan, who have only picked up four points from their last five matches, falling to defeats against Sassuolo, Udinese and Napoli over that period. 

Now, the Rossoneri could end the weekend in fourth place if Juventus win against the already-relegated Hellas Verona later on Sunday evening. 

SASSUOLO, ITALY - MAY 03: Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan reacts after Fabio Maresca, referee of the match shows to hi a red card during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 03, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 03: Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan reacts after Fabio Maresca, referee of the match shows to hi a red card during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 03, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Milan supporters made their frustrations clear after the Sassuolo defeat. The Rossoneri players did not go and thank their supporters in front of the stand, instead staying in the centre circle while being loudly jeered from a distance. 

Sky Sport Italia reports that captain Mike Maignan began to lead his players over to the stand to applaud their supporters, but then began to head towards the dressing rooms upon hearing the boos, which only made the reception worse. 

Milan will have an opportunity to respond next Sunday when they host Atalanta in San Siro. Then come tests against Genoa and Cagliari to close the 2025-26 campaign.

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