AC Milan's Serie A game against Udinese on Saturday is one of four "pivotal" upcoming fixtures as they look to challenge at the top of the table, believes Massimiliano Allegri.
Milan have responded from their shock opening-day defeat to newly-promoted Cremonese with back-to-back triumphs over Lecce and Bologna to sit fifth in the standings.
The Rossoneri are, however, entering a tough stretch of fixtures, with the return of the Coppa Italia also coming next week as they welcome Lecce to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
That is followed by league fixtures against fellow title hopefuls Napoli and Juventus before the October international break, with Fiorentina to come after that.
Of those matches, Allegri believes that their clash against Udinese will be their most important, highlighting the possibility of producing a statement win.
"All I know is that we're coming off two wins, that we're facing a difficult game against a very physical team with good technical players," Allegri said.
"Tomorrow is a very big test, the boys know it and we've spoken about it. We need continuity.
"We have a big chance tomorrow, while knowing that we’re going up against a team that is very difficult to beat.
"It's not the case that we've won two games and have become great and beautiful to watch, we still have our flaws.
"The important thing is that we turn on the switch at 20.45 tomorrow, otherwise we risk hurting ourselves.
"Each season there are four pivotal games: Tomorrow is one of the four. It will take compactness, technique and a great sense of responsibility.
"We have to forget about previous wins and focus on what we have to do. Out of the games against (Udinese), Lecce, Napoli and Juventus, tomorrow is the most important one."
Allegri was also on hand to ensure Milan supporters that Rafael Leao, Mike Maignan and Christian Pulisic are all closing in on returns to action.
Leao has not yet played in Serie A this term after picking up an injury during the first-round Coppa Italia victory over Bari last month.
Maignan, meanwhile, was forced off with a calf issue during Milan's 1-0 win over Bologna last weekend, while Pulisic was not included in the starting lineup on that occasion.
"Leao is progressing well, we hope to have him available for Napoli," Allegri added. "Maignan is fine, he's doing well. He'll be in goal against Lecce on Tuesday.
When asked for further details on the conditions of Leao and Pulisic, Allegri said: "Leao will definitely not be there against Lecce, we hope to have him back for Napoli.
"Pulisic is much better, he came on against Bologna and did well. I'll decide tomorrow whether to start him or have him on the bench.
"Hopefully, as it was last Sunday, the subs will make a big contribution to the team."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Udinese – Iker Bravo
Only Kenan Yildiz (eight – May 2005) and Assane Diao (eight – September 2005) are younger than Iker Bravo (three – January 2005) among players who scored at least three goals from the beginning of the last Serie A season (2024-25).
The Spaniard's winning goal against Pisa last time out, timed at 13 minutes and 33 seconds, was also Udinese's fastest goal in a Serie A match since Lorenzo Lucca against Monza (five minutes, 12 seconds) in December 2024, and he will be keen to make his mark here.
Milan – Luka Modric
After scoring in his last Serie A match, Modric could score in consecutive appearances for only the third time in his career in the top five European leagues, after January 2019 and December 2020 (both for Real Madrid).
Indeed, after his assist against Lecce and his goal against Bologna, he could also be involved in a goal in three consecutive league games for the first time since December 2020.