This summer, AC Milan and Leeds United are set to go head-to-head again. This is a high profile pre-season friendly that’s to take place in Dublin at the iconic Aviva Stadium. Scheduled for Saturday, 9 August at 3 PM local time, the match is sure to be one of the standout fixtures of the summer football calendar, drawing fans from across Europe for what’s set to be a thrilling contest.
A Glance at the Stakes
While billed as a friendly, the games will be about far more than just pre-season fitness. For AC Milan, it comes off the back of their 2025 pre-season tour that will see them travelling across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Western Australia. The match against Leeds will be their first appearance in Ireland since 2020 and it gives Irish supporters a rare chance to witness one of the greatest teams in the world.
Meanwhile, Leeds United are riding high. After a hard-fought promotion campaign, they have claimed their return to the Premier League for the next season. This fixture will be an early test for the squad in terms of its readiness to compete at the highest level once again. The game is also about sentimental value for both clubs. The match carries a sense of pride and history, as a rekindling of a trans-European rivalry.
Expected Line-Ups and Key Players
For AC Milan, we can expect Sérgio Conceição (if he remains in place) to field a team that has a mix of veterans and emerging talent. There’s little doubt that the team will start with Mike Maignan in goal. He’s likely to be backed by a central defence pairing of Fikayo Tomori and Malick Thiaw. Theo Hernandez is almost a certain to start at left back, and we can be sure that he’ll be providing his usual blend of pace and creativity.
Looking to midfield, it’ll be Tijjani Reijnders and Ismael Bennacer looking to control the tempo. It’s a good possibility that Ruben Loftus-Cheek could operate in a more advanced role. Up front, we’d expect to see Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic flanking Luka Jovic. This will depend on fitness and rotation. Young talents, like Francesco Camarda could well be given cameo roles and the chance to make a mark.
Under Daniel Farke, Leeds United are set to approach the match with a sense of energy and discipline. In goal, we’d expect to see Illan Meslier, with a backline made up of Liam Cooper and Joe Rodon. Full-back positions will likely be filled by Junior Firpo, while it’ll be Ethan Ampadu taking charge of the midfield.
Our bet is on Daniel James and Crysencio Summerville providing the attacking thrust on the wings. It’s then a toss up between Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford when it comes to who will be leading the line. It’s worth keeping an eye out for 18-year-old Archie Gray. He’s a rising star who’s tipped to really shine during the next Premier League Season.
Previous Meetings
While their paths have rarely crossed, AC Milan and Leeds still share a history in football. They first met back in 1973 in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup final in Thessaloniki. This match was full of controversy with Leeds having goals disallowed and a penalty appeal dismissed. The referee in this game, Christos Michas, was later banned for match fixing.
Regardless of how it came about, AC Milan won that meet up by a single goal that came from Luciano Chiarugi. You can be sure that the memory of this result is still painful for the Yorkshire club who still maintain that they should have won.
In more recent times, the teams were drawn together in the 2000/2001 UEFA Champions League group stage. The first match took place at Elland Road, with Leeds claiming a 1-0 win. The second took place at the San Siro and ended 1-1. Both teams fielded strong squads that featured stars on the international stage.
While these past meetups can’t predict the next outcome, they still allow some insights. With this being a friendly, away from the pressure of European competition, it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. You can be sure that older fans will have past meetings clearly in their minds and they’ll be keen to see their side come out on top.
Looking for the Favourite
On paper, there’s no escaping the fact that AC Milan are the favourites. The Serie A giants have a more experienced and technically gifted squad, with many players having been involved at the highest levels of European football. Milan also has greater depth to its squad and it has undergone few changes in recent times.
That being said, Leeds shouldn’t be underestimated. The club’s momentum from a successful promotional campaign combined with a manager who is a master at instilling tactical discipline makes them a dangerous opponent. Their younger players will be keen to impress and their new Premier League status is sure to boost their confidence.
A Broader Context
The upcoming match also gives fans the chance to re-engage with the sport after a brief break, and this could lead to them doing it in unique ways. They may choose to track live match stats, engage with other fans, or find interactive forms of betting. They may even make use of Pragmatic Play rtp live to take a break from the sport for a while. Regardless, there are more and more ways for fans to connect with their teams, especially in ways that are digital.
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Players to Watch
For Milan, all eyes will be on Rafael Leao. The Portuguese winger has matured and is now one of Europe’s most exciting attacking players. His direct running and creativity will certainly be a test for the Leeds defence. Christian Pulisic will draw attention too as he seeks to maintain his form before the new season gets underway.
Leeds fans will be wanting to see what Summerville can achieve when facing top-tier opposition. His pace and flair played a massive role in their promotion, and this match is a real opportunity for him to showcase his abilities. Then there’s Archie Gray. This friendly could well be a springboard for the youngster to secure his place in the first team.
The Venue
The Aviva Stadium is a modern venue with a capacity of over 50,000. It makes a fitting stage for this encounter. Located in the heart of Dublin, it comes with first-class facilities and teams can be sure of the best pitch quality.
Tickets are already on sale, and you can expect demand to be huge. The best advice is to grab your tickets now while you still have the chance.
Final Thoughts
While AC Milan vs. Leeds is billed as a friendly, you can be sure of a fiercely contested fixture. Both teams have points to prove ahead of next season and this will drive them to give a spectacular show. Whether you’re lucky enough to get tickets or watching from home, this will be a match that you don’t want to miss.
