![\"COMO,](\"https:\/\/icdn.football-italia.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Max-Allegri-Como-Milan.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/div>\nCOMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Max Allegri feels Milan were \u2018resilient\u2019 in their 3-1 victory away to Como, and admits Mike Maignan\u2019s saves \u2018kept us alive,\u2019 explaining what happened with Rafael Leao on the penalty.<\/p>\n
The Rossoneri had a rough start and were pinned back for most of the first half, trailing to the Marc-Oliver Kempf header, but Christopher Nkunku\u2019s penalty on the stroke of half-time kept them alive.<\/p>\n
Mike Maignan\u2019s saves and the brace from unexpected hero Adrien Rabiot turned it around, as Milan inflicted the first home defeat of the season on Como.<\/p>\n
Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Como 1-3 Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n Milan changed their tactics several times during the game, starting with a four-man defence, moving to 4-3-3, then a 3-5-2 during the second half.<\/p>\n \u201cWe started playing with four midfielders in possession, trying to create more passing lines with Fofana, but we lost our unity after going behind and ran quite a few risks on their through balls and counter-attacks, so Maignan kept us alive,\u201d Allegri told DAZN Italia.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce we got back on level terms against a strong Como side that plays very well, and can be dangerous, I moved to three upfront, but after we turned it around and took the lead, I returned to how we started.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had other chances too, and so did Como. This is a very resilient team and it wanted the result at all costs.\u201d<\/p>\n There was some tension around the penalty, as Rafael Leao seemed as if he wanted to step up, but Allegri dictated from the touchline that it would be Nkunku\u2019s goal. He also appeared to be a little confused for the change of system.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to give Leao a little more breathing room closer to Nkunku, then open out wide in possession,\u201d explained the coach.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was marvellous on the second goal with that first touch to control the cross-field pass and give the assist to Rabiot.\u201d<\/p>\n As always, Allegri did not watch as the spot-kick was taken.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s true he wanted to take the penalty, he is a specialist too, but at that moment I felt that Nkunku should take it. I heard half of the crowd in the stands cheering and was afraid he\u2019d missed it, but then I saw those on my bench celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n Niclas Fullkrug played as a substitute despite fracturing his toe only a few days ago, but with his characteristics can Milan try the 4-3-3 more often?<\/p>\n \u201cHe came on with the right spirit, but so did the others. Let\u2019s just say it\u2019s not easy to play against Como, and once you go behind, they keep creating chances,\u201d explained Allegri.<\/p>\n \u201cAt that stage, I preferred to bolster the midfield by putting Leao and Saelemaekers out wide to tamp down that Como enthusiasm. Maignan kept us in the game.<\/p>\n \u201cWe did well and were also fortunate to equalise with the penalty, but then the game changed completely after the restart.\u201d<\/p>\n This result means Milan are now clear in second place, the only team within three points of leaders Inter to keep the Scudetto race alive.<\/p>\n They lost just one of the opening 20 rounds, which was the first against Cremonese, something the Diavolo only achieved in the three points for a win era in 1995-96 and 2003-04.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nAllegri admits Milan had a tough night with Como<\/h2>\n
![\"COMO,](\"https:\/\/icdn.football-italia.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Max-Allegri-shout.jpg\")
![\"COMO,](\"https:\/\/icdn.football-italia.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mike-Maignan-Rafael-Leao.jpg\")
![\"COMO,](\"https:\/\/icdn.football-italia.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Christopher-Nkunku-penalty-Como-Milan.jpg\")