How is this the case?
Last season we conceded 38 goals in Serie A, 8 in CL, and 4 in the cup. This season we have conceded 25 in Serie A, 6 in CL, and 2 in the cup.
50 vs 33 so far
From Serie A only after 26 rounds
Last year with Pirlo we had 16 Wins - 7 Draws - 3 Lose, 53 Goals scored - 22 Goals conceded, 55 Points
This year after 26 rounds with Allegri we have 13 Wins - 8 Draws - 5 Lose, 38 Goals scored - 23 conceded, 47 Points.
If we have 55 points after 26 rounds this season, we will have same points with Milan at 1st with Milan have 1 game in hand
If we did worse than last season, i don't think Allegri have excuse
It seems for me some players performance regressing compare to last year.
Some players like Cuadrado, Chiesa, Morata, Rabiot, McKennie i think played better last season
And with Pirlo's we have a better record against team above us like :
Inter [Conte] (we lost 1, won 1, and also won 1 and draw 1 in Coppa Italy)
Milan ( we won 1 and lost 1)
Atalanta (we draw 1 which should be win if Ronaldo scored last minute penalty, lost 1, and won 1 in Coppa Italy)
Napoli (won 1 and lost 1)