AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has stressed the importance of mental resilience for his squad — including Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze — as they prepare for the upcoming Serie A season, despite wrapping up their pre-season tour with a dominant 9-0 win over Perth Glory.

The Rossoneri ended their tour of Asia and Australia on a high, thanks to goals from Filippo Terracciano, Christian Comotto, Samuele Ricci, Yunus Musah, Chukwueze, and braces from both Noah Okafor and Rafael Leao.

Chukwueze, who was handed a starting role, netted his first goal in nearly five months, rewarding Allegri’s trust after a brief substitute appearance in the 4-2 victory over Liverpool in Hong Kong. The goal could be a confidence booster for the 26-year-old, who has faced criticism following an underwhelming debut season.

Reflecting on the team’s performances, Allegri told Milan TV:

“We had 25 days of solid training and played some good games during this tour. We're satisfied with our work, but once we return to Italy on August 5, the real season begins. That’s when everything changes.”

He praised his players’ attitude during the tour, noting they treated the Perth match with the right level of seriousness, giving fans in Australia a memorable night.

Despite a narrow loss to Arsenal, Milan recorded impressive wins over Liverpool (3-2) and Perth Glory (9-0). But Allegri warned his team not to get carried away by early success.

“We need to take things step by step. It’s easy to get excited when things go well, but we have to be ready for the tough times too — and not fall into a state of depression when they come,” he cautioned.
“This is more about mental balance than tactics. The season is a long journey over 38 games, and maintaining consistency is key.”

Allegri, who is back at the Milan helm, will lead the team into two more pre-season friendlies — against Leeds United and Chelsea — before his first competitive match, a Coppa Italia fixture against Bari on August 17.

Last season, Chukwueze featured 26 times in Serie A, starting only nine games and logging 918 minutes in total. He managed just three goals and two assists, falling short of expectations following his €20 million move from Villarreal.

Despite his recent goal, speculation about his future continues. Fulham are reportedly interested in signing the winger, with Milan open to negotiations as they look to offload his wages and reinvest in the squad.