On a summer evening that promised the return of Serie A glory, AC Milan instead found themselves staring down a familiar, unwelcome spectre: a surprising 2-1 defeat at home to newly-promoted US Cremonese. For coach Massimiliano Allegri, whose presence on the touchline marked his official season debut, the post-match dissection was swift and unflinching, pointing directly at a glaring lack of defensive `danger sensing` and sheer determination.
August 23, 2025, was meant to be a fresh start. The San Siro faithful, no strangers to the rollercoaster of Italian football, had anticipated a dominant display from their Rossoneri. Instead, they witnessed a performance that, according to Allegri, lacked the very fundamental tenets of top-tier football: concentration and defensive resolve. The echoes of past struggles, where `soft goals` became a recurring nightmare, reverberated through the legendary stadium as Cremonese, the league`s newest entrants, left Milan with an improbable victory.
Allegri`s Candid Critique: “Soft Goals” and Missing Determination
Speaking to DAZN Italia after the match, Allegri didn`t mince words. “If we look at the performance, we had eight shots on goal, but the difference is made with the determination with which you attack and defend,” he stated, his tone betraying a manager deeply unsatisfied. “We conceded two avoidable goals that we could’ve prevented with a little more concentration. Fortunately, it is only the first round and we have time to work on these details.”
This assessment cuts straight to the core of Milan`s issues. While offensive opportunities were created, the defensive frailty demonstrated suggests a deeper, systemic problem. The manager`s emphasis on “determination” isn`t merely a motivational plea; it`s a technical indictment, implying a fundamental disconnect between individual effort and collective defensive solidity. It`s a sentiment that often precedes a tactical overhaul, even if the season has just begun.
The Defensive Dilemma: A Failure to Sense Danger
The goals conceded were, by Allegri`s own admission, textbook examples of defensive lapses. Cremonese, known for their effective crossing, found ample space to exploit Milan`s backline. “We knew Cremonese had good crossers and should’ve covered the box better than we did,” Allegri explained, detailing the specific failures. “We need to improve in these situations, because we cannot afford to concede two goals in every game.”
He continued, painting a stark picture: “Considering the goals we conceded, clearly the defensive phase is where we need to improve. We don’t sense danger effectively. There were five of us in the box against three, so you cannot allow a free header, just as you cannot let Pezzella run to the by-line alone.” One might reasonably wonder if `sensing danger` is a skill taught at football academies or an inherent intuition. For Milan, it appears to be a sixth sense still very much in development, a rather inconvenient truth for a club with championship aspirations.
The formation itself, a 3-5-2 that could fluidly shift to a 4-3-3, seemed to offer little in the way of consistent cover. While tactical flexibility is often praised, its effectiveness hinges entirely on the players` understanding and execution, particularly in transitional moments where danger lurks.
New Faces, Old Problems? Player Fitness Under Scrutiny
The match also saw the Serie A debut for a few new faces, notably Luka Modric and Pervis Estupinan. While the legendary Modric donned the Rossoneri colors, it was Estupinan, formerly of Brighton and Hove Albion, who bore the brunt of tactical changes, being substituted at half-time after struggling defensively. Allegri, however, dismissed the notion that the problem lay with absent players or new signings entirely.
“It’s not about the squad, it’s about having a little more determination, both on and off the ball,” Allegri asserted.
His comments also shone a light on individual player conditions. Santiago Gimenez, the Mexico international, arrived late for pre-season and his lack of match fitness was evident, leading to sluggish tracking back and a missed header late in the game. “Santiago did arrive late and isn’t fully fit. He did the best he could tonight, had a big chance at the end with a header and it didn’t go well,” Allegri conceded, adding pointedly, “We must all prepare in a certain way, because we cannot keep conceding such soft goals.”
The Road Ahead: Grit Over Glamour
The atmosphere at San Siro, already fraught with the memories of a challenging previous season, felt noticeably negative. Allegri, ever the pragmatist, acknowledged the sentiment but emphasized a forward-looking approach. “Regardless of what happened last season, we need to turn the negatives into positives,” he concluded.
With Lecce, a “good team” and “always tough,” awaiting them next week, Milan faces an immediate test of character. Allegri`s parting shot was a clear directive: “If we only want to play pretty, we’ll risk drawing or losing against anyone, the way we did tonight.” It`s a sobering reminder that in Serie A, especially at the start of a new campaign, sheer will and defensive acumen often trump aesthetically pleasing football. This unexpected stumble against Cremonese, therefore, serves not just as a defeat, but as a stark, early-season sermon on the necessities of grit and strategic vigilance for AC Milan.
