Soccer-Allegri takes blame as Milan miss out on Champions League on final day

Massimiliano Allegri acknowledged that AC ​Milan deserved to miss out on ​the Champions League after ‌a 2-1 ​home defeat by Cagliari on Sunday capped a dismal second half of the Serie A season, leaving ‌his position as manager under the spotlight.

Massimiliano Allegri acknowledged that AC ​Milan deserved to miss out on ​the Champions League after ‌a 2-1 ​home defeat by Cagliari on Sunday capped a dismal second half of the Serie A season, leaving ‌his position as manager under the spotlight. Milan blew the chance of a top-four finish at San Siro, finishing fifth after winning once in their final four ‌matches.

Prior to the season finale, Allegri had already described the team's form ‌since the turn of the year as "tragic," a trend that ultimately cost them Champions League qualification. “Unfortunately, we cannot change the result now. When we lose five home games the way ⁠we did, ​we end up ⁠in this position,” Allegri told DAZN.

“I don't know what the reason is. We made mistakes, ⁠I made mistakes too,” Allegri added. “Certainly, I should have found the solution myself; I ​am the one responsible. We will need to be very clear-headed in ⁠evaluating the season properly.” The defeat has intensified the pressure on 58-year-old former Juventus boss Allegri ⁠and ​Milan's ownership, who faced pre-match fan protests.

Speculation over whether he will remain in charge for next season has mounted following Milan's sharp decline in ⁠form. “I don’t know about the future, right now my thought only goes to ⁠the lack of ⁠results. Naturally, the whole year must be evaluated, mistakes were made, but there is no point talking about it ‌now,” concluded ‌Allegri.