Allegri told DAZN Italia.<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cOur first half was great, the second unfortunately saw us down to 10 men. At least we managed to practice our defending, these are situations where you can be forced to give away scoring opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lads did really well, but this is just the beginning. We must enjoy the victory tonight, then from tomorrow start to focus on the next match before the break for international duty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allegri keeps Milan feet on the ground![\"MILAN,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Giovanni-Di-Lorenzo-Mattia-Gabbia-Milan-Napoli.jpg\")
MILAN, ITALY \u2013 SEPTEMBER 28: Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Napoli is challenged by Matteo Gabbia of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Milan held on for their fifth consecutive victory between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, conceding just one goal and scoring 11.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to keep working, we made a small step forward today with a deserved victory against a strong Napoli. When you know how to suffer under pressure, it makes it easier to win if you have this kind of spirit,\u201d added Allegri.<\/p>\n
Rafael Leao made his first Serie A appearance of the season as a substitute, having sustained a muscular injury in the Coppa Italia on August 17.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeao is getting back to fitness, so is Nkunku, and there are positive signs going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the Portuguese talent got injured and Adrien Rabiot arrived, it also prompted Allegri to switch tactics to more of a 3-5-2 formation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our pre-season games against Liverpool and Arsenal, we had Loftus-Cheek on one side, Pulisic on the other, and double midfield playmakers, Leao upfront. It depends on the characteristics of the trequartista whether they are more defensive or attacking, but we try things in training to see if there are alternatives we can make the most of during the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have many different attacking players we can use in different roles. The important thing is to get them back fully fit, because we saw that there\u2019s one game for the first hour, then it can all change.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"MILAN,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Luka-Modric-Milan.jpg\")
MILAN, ITALY \u2013 SEPTEMBER 28: Luka Modric of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Luka Modric was signed for his creativity, but the 40-year-old is also proving himself very valuable working defensively too.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving him in front of the defence brings quality, but also intelligence when closing off passing channels. He can win the ball back more with interceptions than challenges, that\u2019s where he can be extremely valuable,\u201d explained Allegri.<\/p>\n
This result means that Milan are now joint top of the table on 12 points with Napoli and Roma, quite a coup considering their opener was a shock home defeat to Cremonese.<\/p>\n
\u201cFootball is strange, because against Cremonese Maignan didn\u2019t have to make a save, we were punished by two distractions and our own wasted chances at the other end. It was the first match, the more they play together, the better they\u2019ll get to know each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next test is another huge one next Sunday, as Allegri will face his former club Juventus.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bit odd, as I\u2019ve played this game on both sides, I was at Milan first, then Juve, now back to Milan again. It\u2019s a marvellous fixture, anyway!\u201d<\/p>\n
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![\"MILAN,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Max-Allegri-Milan-Napoli.jpg\")
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