Allegri: “I was amazed by how Jashari performed, Modrić is an extraordinary player, Estupiñán has improved a lot” | OneFootball

Massimiliano Allegri during Leeds United-AC Milan at Aviva Stadium on August 9, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (@acmilan.com)

Massimiliano Allegri talked to the press after the 1-1 dreaw with Leeds.

The Rossoneri played a friendly match today (Saturday) against Leeds in Dublin and tomorrow they’ll have another game against Chelsea on London.

Milan played the game with many youngsters and an incomplete squad, but still scored first through Santi Giménez in the 31′ minute, with Ardon Jashari on his debut taking part in the goal. In the second half it was mostly Leeds and Anton Stach equalized in the 67′ minute.

It ended 1-1 in another positive pre-season match. “We kept a good energy; I wanted to see the boys’ condition and have them play 90 minutes,” Allegri told Sky Italia.

Did this squad surprise you?“I was always taught that players must be coached before giving judgments. So far we’ve worked well; we shouldn’t get carried away with too much excitement. We have to work while maintaining great balance—that will have to be our strength. The league is not won or lost in a single match.”

Ardon Jashari at the end of Leeds United-AC Milan at Aviva Stadium on August 9, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (@acmilan.com)

What do you think about Jashari and Modrić?“I’ve had very few, if any, great players who had little intelligence and little humility. To stay at a high level, you must be humble and intelligent. Modrić – no need for me to say it – is an extraordinary player. As for Jashari, I was amazed by how he performed because he’s worked little with the ball and has mostly trained alone. There’s room for improvement and work to be done, to build physical condition and mental confidence. We must not get too carried away; for Milan, the norm must be winning matches.”

What do you think Thiaw possibly leaving and and the transfer market?“The boys I have are all very good; Thiaw is one of them. The club is making its evaluations together with me, and we’ll see.”

How did you see Giménez and Estupiñán?“Estupinan has improved a lot. When you change country and league… He had a good game and is growing; we never had any doubts. As for a striker, more than playing well, he has to score goals – and today Santi scored, so I’m happy.”