23 games unbeaten: Allegri matches Capello
Goals may fill the stands, but defences win leagues. It’s a simple idea, yet far from easy to apply. Throughout its history, Italian football has consistently rewarded teams built on solid foundations, sides willing to value balance and efficiency, even if it means sacrificing flair. In recent Serie A seasons, the Scudetto winners have often also boasted the best defensive record. Whether the victories were dazzling or ground out the hard way, on difficult days even a single point can be crucial, making the difference between the top position and the rest.
Massimiliano Allegri has always had a knack for calculating exactly how many points are needed to reach a target. Tables, projections, permutations. By March, the Milan coach usually has a clear roadmap in mind. And as they approach this decisive stretch, the Rossoneri have hardly put a foot wrong, aside from the opening stumble against Cremonese. Friday’s win over Pisa took Allegri’s side to 53 points and, above all, extended their unbeaten league run to 23 matches, drawing level with a true giant of the game, Fabio Capello. The benchmark dates back to the 1992/93 season, in the midst of the Rossoneri’s three-title streak under “Don Fabio,” achieved by an experienced team ready to evolve tactically after the Arrigo Sacchi era. While this Milan side is only at the beginning of a new cycle, Allegri’s team already shows echoes of that early-1990s side, starting with a tactical blueprint on the pitch.
Fabio Capello’s Milan was all about pragmatism - frustrating for opponents, yet a reliable source of excitement for their fans. Tassotti, Costacurta, Baresi, and Maldini formed the impenetrable backline, Sebastiano Rossi guarded the goal, and Albertini provided balance to a team brimming with attacking threat. The unbeaten run kicked off with a 1-0 win over Foggia on the opening day. By matchday six, Milan were four points clear, and by the halfway mark, they held an eight-point lead over their city rivals Inter. Capello kept things under control until matchday 24, when Asprilla and Parma finally broke the spell with a 1-0 win at San Siro, ending Milan’s 23-game unbeaten streak. The setback gave Inter hope, narrowing the gap to four points, but Milan held on, and Capello clinched the Serie A title with a game to spare. The 1992/93 team was almost a perfect machine, made even more ruthless under Capello’s meticulous guidance, focused on defensive solidity, attention to detail, and smart game management whenever in the lead.
Max Allegri is following in those footsteps. This season, Milan have conceded just 18 goals in 24 games, showing remarkable discipline even on off days, grabbing crucial draws at the last minute and settling for a point when needed. The team has also impressed going forward, and the stats say it all: Milan have scored 40 goals overall, home and away, making them the third-highest scoring side in Serie A. The team’s growth is clear. Inter continue to put out standout performances, but Milan haven’t lost ground, biding their time and ready to capitalise on any slip-ups as they prepare for the final sprint to the finish line.
On Wednesday evening, Milan take on Como in the rescheduled matchday 24 fixture in Serie A. While the main focus is on extending their lead in the Champions League race and closing in on Inter, there’s also the milestone of 24 unbeaten games, something a positive result against Fàbregas’s side would help achieve. Wins like this are crucial for long-term progress. Being mentioned alongside that legendary Milan team only strengthens the belief of Modrić and his teammates, who are ready to battle all the way to the finish in the fight for the Scudetto.
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