Allegri under attack after Sassuolo defeat

MILAN - AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri came under attack from club vice CEO Barbara Berlusconi on Sunday after the struggling Serie A giants were stunned 4-3 by league new boys Sassuolo.

Allegri led the club to the Serie A title in his first season in charge in 2011 but, for the second consecutive season, the Rossoneri are well behind the league pacesetters. After Sunday's reverse, Milan remained 11th but are 30 points adrift of leaders Juventus and 20 behind Napoli, who occupy the last Champions League qualifying spot, in third.

Berlusconi, the daughter of club owner and president Silvio Berlusconi, launched a scathing attack on club CEO Adriano Galliani prior to Christmas which prompted the official to offer his resignation before backpedalling.

After Sunday's reverse, Berlusconi said an "urgent change" was needed at the helm of the seven-time European champions. "A disappointing night, just like others, which confirms that a change is necessary and urgent," Berlusconi was quoted as saying on ANSA, the domestic news agency. "We can no longer tolerate the fact that our fans have to put up with performances like these."