AC Milan kept control of their Champions League chase with a tense 2-1 victory over Genoa, yet Massimiliano Allegri warned the team cannot relax before the final Serie A fixture against Cagliari. Milan moved up to third place on 70 points, level with Roma and narrowly ahead of Como and Juventus, but Allegri stressed the danger of losing focus after a shaky performance.

The match at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris broke a three-game Serie A spell without a win for Milan, and also brought Allegri his 149th league success decided by a single goal. Despite that landmark, the coach admitted the performance contained worrying spells, including a slow opening period and a nervous finale after Genoa pulled a goal back late in the second half.

Allegri underlined the pressure surrounding the Genoa clash and the importance of the remaining home game. He said: “There was a lot of pressure, and we ran the risk of throwing away everything we had built during this year, Allegri told DAZN Italia. We haven’t achieved anything yet. There is one more game to play on home turf against Cagliari, and we hope to do it then. I have to thank my players, those who work and have to stay close to me, who have to put up with me.There is a week to go before the objective is secured. Until we get to the finish line, we’ve always got to be alert. Gian Piero Gasperini has done a great job at Roma, a place that is very difficult to work in, and it’s a natural progression of his career.”

Milan’s position in the Serie A table means a Champions League place remains in their own hands. They sit ahead of Como and Juventus by two points, with one round left. Any victory against Cagliari would guarantee a top-four finish, while any slip could allow the chasing pair to take advantage if Roma also hold their nerve.

The Rossoneri had to manage key absences against Genoa, as Rafael Leao, Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupinan were all suspended. Allegri responded with several changes, bringing Ardon Jashari and Santiago Jimenez into the line-up. Luka Modric, who recently underwent surgery for a fractured cheekbone, returned to the squad but stayed among the substitutes and did not feature.

On the pitch, Milan showed more efficiency than Genoa despite creating fewer chances overall. Milan produced 1.8 expected goals, thanks partly to the converted penalty, from only eight attempts. Genoa generated 11 shots and 1.3 expected goals. That imbalance highlighted Milan’s more clinical edge, but also suggested Genoa caused problems that could worry Allegri so close to the season’s end.

The scoring for Milan came through Christopher Nkunku from the penalty spot and a finish by Zachary Athekame, while Johan Vasquez struck late for Genoa to set up a tense closing spell. Milan had started slowly before finding rhythm, yet the late concession meant the final minutes were played under heavy pressure, reinforcing Allegri’s warning about maintaining attention until the final whistle.

Allegri praised the response from the rotated side, while also pointing out recent defensive issues. He said: “I had no doubts that those who stepped in would give a strong response, he added.We were a little too chaotic recently, conceded some goals far too easily, which is not our usual style. We did well defending and were also a little fortunate. Jashari had a good game in a role he is slowly adapting to. I am very pleased. It’s a real pleasure to work with Luka Modric, to see how much love and passion he still has for this sport. He was desperate to come on. Modric put himself at our disposal. It’s a wonderful thing and ought to be a lesson to all players and children who want to get into this sport. Football is a marvellous game; sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but the passion must never waver. I’ve coached a few champions in my time, and never once have I encountered one without that love for the sport.”

Key numbers from the Genoa match and Serie A table underline Milan’s delicate situation heading into the final weekend.

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Allegri’s remarks about Modric showed how the coach values experience and dedication in this phase of the season. With one week remaining to secure qualification, Milan rely on maintaining discipline, defensive stability and the same level of commitment from both regular starters and replacements when Cagliari visit San Siro for the decisive fixture.