Massimiliano Allegri believes Milan can compete for the Serie A title this season, despite Inter being his clear favourites to retain the championship. The former Milan manager, who is now in charge of Napoli, included his old club among seven teams he expects to challenge for the trophy.
“Favourite? Of course, Inter they already have the championship title in their pocket. But I can name at least seven more teams that can fight for the title: Napoli, Milan, Roma, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Juventus,” Allegri said, according to pianetamilan.it.
Allegri’s assessment places Milan firmly among the leading contenders in a title race he expects to involve a broad group of clubs. Inter are the team he considers most likely to finish at the top, but he does not believe the competition will be limited to a single primary challenger.
Napoli, the club Allegri currently manages, are also included in his list. So too are Roma, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Juventus, giving the Italian top-flight race at least seven teams capable of mounting a challenge to Inter.
His comments also underline that Allegri continues to view Milan as a serious force, despite the circumstances of his departure from the club. The former coach is not holding a grudge against Milan after what has been described as an unattractive split, and still regards them as one of the principal contenders for the championship.
For Milan, Allegri’s backing comes as the club seek to add another Serie A title to their recent history. Milan last won the Italian championship in 2022.
The former Milan manager’s comments were made at the start of the new Serie A season, with the title race still ahead of the teams he identified. While Inter have been placed at the front of the queue by Allegri, he expects Napoli, Milan, Roma, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Juventus to have the opportunity to compete for the championship.
Inter’s status as favourites, according to Allegri, is based on their position as the reigning champions. However, his wider list reflects the belief that several established clubs, along with Como, can remain involved in the contest.
Allegri therefore sees Milan’s prospects as competitive rather than secondary. Although he gives Inter the strongest billing, his prediction includes Milan among the teams capable of challenging for Serie A glory this season.