Massimiliano Allegri approached his pre-match press conference with a light-hearted spirit, humorously reflecting on his New Year’s Eve celebrations as he prepared for the imminent challenge against Cagliari in the 2026 Serie A season. The match, which marks the 18th round of the championship, comes with its own set of stakes, especially as it is the first game of the year. Allegri remarked, “I struggled to stay awake until midnight; I fell asleep at ten and woke just in time to toast at 11:36. However, my mind was already on today’s training ahead of the Cagliari match, and I hope my thoughts have been productive.”
Highlighting the intricacies of the upcoming fixture, Allegri stated, “Every match is complicated, but this one is even more so as it holds similar importance to our game in Udine.” He emphasized the need to continue progressing in the standings, aiming to secure a position within the top four. With a demanding schedule ahead, featuring six away games before February, Allegri noted the urgency of ensuring all players recover from injuries for this grueling series.
In terms of team fitness, Allegri provided updates on several players. “Gabbia can be considered ‘recovered’ as he has trained once and will be on the bench. Nkunku remains unavailable due to an ongoing ankle issue; we hope to have him back for the match against Genoa. Leao is ready but has played limited minutes; we’ll assess his condition. Pulisic has returned to training with the team, and we’ll evaluate his fitness too. Pavlovic experienced a fever and is under assessment; if he cannot play, either Odogu or Bartesaghi will step in.”
When asked about the extended transfer window and its impact on coaching, Allegri responded, “We discuss this every year, but those responsible for making changes don’t do so, so it’s pointless to dwell on it. Actions speak louder than words.” Nonetheless, he expressed satisfaction with the early acquisition of Fullkrug, who will be available for the match against Cagliari. Allegri concluded with an acknowledgment of the unpredictability of matchday decisions: “We’ll see who I field and what unfolds during the game, as plans can change rapidly.”
With a strong focus on teamwork and player readiness, Allegri’s outlook for the coming games remains optimistic, setting the stage for an exciting encounter in Cagliari.