Massimiliano Allegri isn't shy about it, and speaking from a press conference in Australia on the eve of AC Milan's friendly against Perth Glory, he's already unveiling his squad for next season. For the former Juventus coach, now in charge of the Rossoneri, the team to beat is clear: "Napoli are the favorites for the Scudetto, because those who win usually start from a position of strength. But Inter are right behind them, and they've been working extremely hard for years and remain a very strong contender."
His list also includes other announced contenders: Juventus, Atalanta, Roma, Fiorentina, and Lazio are all vying for the top spots. "It will be a tough battle to get into the top four ," Allegri explained, but he doesn't use AC Milan's failure to qualify for European competition as a possible excuse. Indeed, he sees it as a limitation: "We can train all week, that's true, but it's not an advantage at all. AC Milan must return to playing in the Champions League to grow; competing with the big teams in Europe is essential."
Allegri's message is clear: look ahead, yes, but without illusions. No cup competition means more time to prepare for matches, but also less international experience and less appeal. Therefore, Milan will have to conquer everything on the pitch. Starting with the next Scudetto, which for Allegri remains a matter of national pride.
Allegri's analysis is interesting, but I think Inter is the team with the most potential, even though Napoli have proven to be very strong. We'll have to see how they perform in the first few games of the season.