Massimiliano Allegri warned AC Milan to "stay alert" in their final Serie A match of the season, after almost "throwing away everything" against Genoa.

Milan walked away from Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris with a 2-1 win, though they made a sluggish start and had to overcome a nervy ending.

A Christopher Nkunku penalty and a strike from Zachary Athekame were enough to claim all three points for Milan, despite Johan Vasquez pulling one back for Genoa late on.

It is a win which means Milan's hopes of clinching a Champions League spot are firmly in their hands going into the final day, as they sit third, level on 70 points with fourth-place Roma, and two clear of Como and Juventus in fifth and sixth respectively.

Milan ended a three-game winless run in Serie A, with Allegri winning a league match by a one-goal margin for the 149th time in his career.

And he conceded Sunday's victory was nervier than he would have liked.

"There was a lot of pressure, and we ran the risk of throwing away everything we had built during this year," Allegri told DAZN Italia.

"We haven't achieved anything yet. There is one more game to play on home turf against Cagliari, and we hope to do it then.

"I have to thank my players, those who work and have to stay close to me, who have to put up with me. There is a week to go before the objective is secured. 

"Until we get to the finish line, we've always got to be alert. Gian Piero Gasperini has done a great job at Roma, a place that is very difficult to work in, and it's a natural progression of his career."

Milan were without Rafael Leao, Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupinan through suspension, with the likes of Ardon Jashari and Santiago Jimenez among the changes brought in.

Luka Modric, three weeks on from surgery on a fractured cheekbone, was also among the substitutes, though he remained on the bench.

The Rossoneri accumulated 1.8 expected goals (xG) – a total inflated by their penalty – from eight attempts, while Genoa managed 11 shots worth 1.3.

But Allegri was largely impressed with what he saw from his rotated squad.

"I had no doubts that those who stepped in would give a strong response," he added. "We were a little too chaotic recently, conceded some goals far too easily, which is not our usual style. We did well defending and were also a little fortunate.

"Jashari had a good game in a role he is slowly adapting to. I am very pleased. It's a real pleasure to work with Luka Modric, to see how much love and passion he still has for this sport. He was desperate to come on.

"Modric put himself at our disposal. It's a wonderful thing and ought to be a lesson to all players and children who want to get into this sport. Football is a marvellous game; sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but the passion must never waver.

"I've coached a few champions in my time, and never once have I encountered one without that love for the sport."