The football world loves a good narrative, and this Sunday offers a classic. Massimiliano Allegri, the tactical mastermind, steps back onto the pitch of his former club, Juventus. Less than a year and a half ago, the Turin giants parted ways with him. Now, he leads AC Milan, a team currently sitting comfortably atop Serie A. But don’t expect any lingering bitterness from Allegri. He insists this isn’t about getting even.
“When I joined Juventus, I thanked Milan for our four years together,” Allegri stated simply. “And before coming back here, I also thanked Juventus. This game isn’t about revenge for me. It’s about playing good football. We absolutely need to put on a strong performance.” His focus remains squarely on the match ahead, not the past.
Milan will be looking to a key player, Rafael Leão, to make a real impact. Leão returned to action in the last game against Napoli, coming on in the 69th minute. Coach Allegri knows the Portuguese forward’s importance. Still, he delivered a clear challenge to the young star. Leão just completed “a good week of training,” the first since August 17th. Allegri had planned to bring him on last Sunday but held off from doing it too early. “He’s improving, just like Nkunku,” Allegri noted, emphasizing the need for even greater intensity now.
The Milan coach believes Leão’s season hasn’t truly ignited yet. “He’s itching to play,” Allegri explained. “But it’s not up to me; it’s entirely in his hands. There’s an old saying for a reason: ‘help yourself, and God will help you.'” It’s a clear message about taking ownership. “He needs the team to shine, and the team certainly needs him. Rafael is eager to perform well, just like every other player on this squad.” The stage is set for Leão to truly start his season.