Former Juventus defender Benatia: ‘I love Allegri’ but reflects on 2019 fall-out

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Sam Wilson | Last updated Sep 26, 2025 11:30 AM ET

Former Juventus and Roma defender Mehdi Benatia, currently sporting director at Marseille, has said “I love Allegri, we respect each-other,” but confessed “we argued in the past, I won’t deny it.”

Benatia played for the Bianconeri whilst Allegri was head coach and the two famously fell out when Leonardo Bonucci returned to Juventus from Milan.

The Moroccan had formed a solid partnership with Giorgio Chiellini whilst Bonucci was in Rossoneri colours and Allegri promised the defender he would play.

Speaking to the Corriere dello Sport, Benatia admitted as much, “He promised me I’d play even after Bonucci returned. And you know how it went? Five matches, zero appearances for Benatia.”

Benatia hails Allegri as ‘perfect for Milan’

Benatia described his mistreatment at Juventus as “a cold shower that proved decisive for my departure,” and in January 2019, the Moroccan left Italy for Al-Duhail in Qatar.

However, the former defender was complimentary of his old coach in the end.

Benatia described the Italian as “a great coach, perfect for Milan”, as the Rossoneri boss has had a decent start to life back in Lombardy.

Milan currently sit in 3rd place, with three wins and one defeat in their opening four games. After the opening day loss to Cremonese, Milan are yet to concede a goal – testament to Allegri’s tactics and philosophy.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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