Bartesaghi: ‘I owe everything to Allegri’ and Milan

Milan defender Davide Bartesaghi, 20, admits he didn’t expect to receive so much playing time this season: ‘I owe everything to Massimiliano Allegri and his collaborators.’

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Milan talent Bartesaghi has played nearly 2,000 minutes with the Rossoneri this season, quickly becoming a regular starter despite the summer signing of Pervis Estupinan.

Bartesaghi has scored two goals and provided one assist in 26 appearances across all competitions this term.

Bartesaghi: Allegri and Milan gave me confidence

“In Milan, I’ve received more than I ever thought I would. I’m happy and lucky. I have the trust of my coach, staff members, and teammates,” Bartesaghi told Gazzetta.

“I owe everything to Allegri and his collaborators. They’ve given me confidence and helped me adapt to different roles. I like to play where I’m deployed today. In the future, I see myself in a three-man defence. I’ve learned that versatility is an added value.”

A product of the Milan Academy, Bartesaghi confirmed that Allegri has had very clear ideas since becoming the Rossoneri coach last summer.

“Last season’s defensive stats were not good, and the coach asked us to fix them immediately. He made simple requests: don’t concede goals and score. He repeats it frequently,” the defender said.

“If you work consistently every day and follow what the coach says, you’ll always add one brick on top of another.

“Allegri is a top person and coach. He’s always told me to stay calm. The staff supports me, and I have even more closeness with them. I knew I had a chance and that my moment could have come.”

Bartesaghi named the Milan teammate who has helped him the most in his first full season in the senior team.

“Gabbia is the first. I spend a lot of time with him, and we do so many things together,” he said.

“On the pitch, Maignan is our leader. Rabiot talks a lot to me too, Modric is making himself more followed with facts than words.”

Bartesaghi’s first approach to senior football came last season, when he was mostly deployed in the Milan Futuro team, playing in Italy’s third division.

“Without Milan U23 [Milan Futuro], I would have had to change club and city. I could not even settle in well and change again,” he admitted.

“The atmosphere elsewhere is different, inevitably. Milan Futuro was tough at first, but it turned out to be a crucial step. The club’s project is to make young players develop, and you can do it there. It’s not Serie A, but not even Primavera. There’s pressure, and you play against experienced teams.”

The second Milan team made its debut in 2024-25, but was relegated to Serie D.

“True, but without that experience, I would not be the player I am today,” insisted Bartesaghi.

“Had I gone, I wouldn’t be the one I am today.”

Tomorrow, Milan visit Napoli in a big Serie A match at the Stadio Maradona.

“It’s one of the most important games, fundamental in the final part of the season,” concluded Bartesaghi.

“We are preparing with all the emphasis it deserves. There will be emotion, but also great awareness. We are a strong side, and every team is within our reach.”