Allegri urges champions Milan not to let up

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has urged his players not to finish the season with a whimper despite already having wrapped up the Serie A title.

Milan secured an 18th scudetto crown last weekend with a 0-0 draw at Roma that gave them an unassailable lead at the top.

They followed that up with a below par performance in the Italian Cup semi final, second leg at Palermo in midweek, losing 2-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate.

And ahead of their last home game of the season against Cagliari on Saturday, Allegri wants his team to go out with a bang.

"The lads want to finish the home season in front of their fans in the best way possible," he said.

"We know that our concentration won't be like in the best matches but we certainly mustn't play badly."

"At this stage of the season it's important most of all to have your minds on the job at hand and to do the right things."

Cagliari have nothing left to play for but next week Milan finish the season away to Udinese, who are fighting for fourth place and a spot in next season's Champions League.

And Allegri says it's his duty to play his best team and to try to win, so as not to give Udinese an unfair advantage over their rivals for fourth: Roma and Lazio.

"That's the way it will be Sunday next week against Udinese who are playing for fourth. We must perform our duty to the end."

Allegri said Cagliari are the perfect opponents for the festive occasion on Saturday given that they were his club over the previous two seasons.

"When the calendar came out I thought it might be possible to celebrate (the title) in this game with Cagliari," he said.

"That's how it will be and I'm happy. I'll greet the president and the players warmly because they were the ones who gave me the possibility to join Milan."