Massimiliano Allegri, head coach of AC Milan, confirmed that the upcoming Serie A match against Sassuolo demands the highest levels of focus, warning against underestimating the game during the press conference held prior to the match.

Allegri said: "Sassuolo is a strong team and performs well in the league; they are among the teams you cannot lose concentration against whether you are leading or trailing."

He continued: "The team has become more balanced compared to the start of the season, so the match must be played with care, respect, and organization. The priority is to acknowledge their ability to trouble us and score at any moment, and defensively, we must limit their threat on the flanks."

The Milan coach added about absences: "Atsikame has returned, and Fofana has recovered but will not participate in tomorrow’s match. Leao is unavailable for the upcoming game but will be ready for the Super Cup. Jimenez is working towards a comeback, and we hope he will join the team as soon as possible."

Regarding how to handle the current phase: "Teams go through different stages during the season, and the situation now is somewhat different from matches like Napoli and Parma. We need to find the right balance within the team to start matches well in both the first and second halves."

About Pulisic and Nkunku, Allegri explained: "Pulisic still has room to develop; he is calm off the pitch but transforms into a dangerous player in front of goal. He gave a good performance in Turin but needs to continue working physically. Nkunku needs to remain calm but has full support within the team, and everyone trusts him. He will deliver positive contributions until the end of the year."

Allegri concluded his statements by talking about the team’s trajectory: "We have 31 points and lead the standings, but the season is still long. Our goal is to return to the Champions League. The team is working with high spirit and has a continuous desire to improve. There is still room for growth, but everyone here has a clear goal, which is to leave an important mark in Milan’s history. What happened in Turin confirmed the importance of calmness and organization until the end, but it also reminded us that danger is always present, so we must raise our level of focus even more."