First Day of the training camp for the 2025/26 Season in front of around 2,000 Fans – Coach Massimiliano Allegri reunites with his ex player and friend, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Mike Maignan and Emerson Royal were out. In addition to that, there shall be no Berlusconi Trophy this yea. Meanwhile, the club works on the transfer market operations…
AC Milan has officially kicked off the 2025/26 season with its first training session at the Milanello Sports Center, under the guidance of new head coach Massimiliano Allegri. In front of roughly 2,000 fans, the team held its first session on the outdoor pitch, amid a mix of enthusiasm and some protest.
Massimiliano Allegri, back on the Rossoneri bench, was immediately in the spotlight both on and off the field, giving tactical instructions to the squad and engaging in a meaningful conversation with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Absent from the session were Mike Maignan and Emerson Royal, both working on individual programs.
On the club management front, the presence of top executives did not go unnoticed—nor did the whistles directed at CEO Giorgio Furlani and president Paolo Scaroni. Meanwhile, the 2025 edition of the Berlusconi Trophy, initially planned between the Coppa Italia and the league opener, has been canceled.
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Back to Milan again - Preparing for the new challenging season and a first Massimiliano Allegri - Rafael Leao interaction in training...
The squad gathered on the outdoor pitch at the Carnago training center for its first session under Massimiliano Allegri.
The former Juventus head coach immediately made his presence felt, leading the session with energy and focus.
He paid particular attention to Rafael Leao, frequently giving him tactical and technical instructions, especially regarding positioning and field vision. Allegri repeatedly told the Portuguese winger to “stay wide,” indicating a clear tactical direction being set from day one.
A conversation with RedBird advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic...
Before the session and during the warm-up, Allegri had a lengthy exchange with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now senior Advisor at RedBird Capital Partners.
The two, who shared the 2011 Scudetto triumph, embraced fondly—with nostalgia but also with an eye to the future.
The former Swedish striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, greeted the entire squad before having a meaningful conversation with the Italian tactician, Allegri. It was a moment that symbolised a bond that transcends the football pitch.
Goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Emerson Royal were absent from the first session
Not all players took part in the first training session.
Club captain Mike Maignan and newly signed right-back Emerson Royal were absent from the group training, as pointed out by the Italy-based news website Calcio Mercato.
At first, Mike Maignan worked in the gym, while Emerson followed a personalized program. Both players had only recently arrived in Milan, and their conditions were then assessed in the following days.
2,000 fans were in attendance
Around 2,000 fans showed up at Milanello to witness the team’s return to action, despite the continued absence of organized supporter groups, who chose for the second consecutive year to boycott the first day. Nonetheless, those present expressed excitement for Allegri’s return and the start of the new season, creating a strong sense of popular support around the squad.
Management attendees and fan tension:
All the club’s key figures were present: CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, chief scout Geoffrey Moncada, and president Paolo Scaroni. Furlani’s arrival at Milanello was met with whistles from the Rossoneri, as was Scaroni’s, which tells you a lot about the big dissatisfaction among the supporters toward the leadership: it remains high.
Giorgio Furlani's words:
During the first pre-season training camp day, CEO Giorgio Furlani gave an interview to the microphones of the Rossoneri club channel, aiming to reassure the fanbase:
"We’re starting over, new season. Last season is behind us, now we look ahead. The goal remains the same for Milan: to be competitive and win every trophy we participate in. We’re looking forward: always Forza Milan."
What about the Berlusconi trophy?
Canceled. The Berlusconi Trophy will not be played this season. In fact, the traditional friendly match between Milan and Monza, usually held in mid-August, has been scrapped. Thus, a classic AC Milan summer fixture is off the calendar. The Rossoneri will instead be focused on their Coppa Italia match against Bari and the Serie A opener against Cremonese at the San Siro venue on August 23.
Meanwhile, AC Milan continue to work on the transfer market:
The club management, with Igli Tare and CEO Giorgio Furlani in charge are working on the market as well. After securing the arrival of midfielders Samuele Ricci and Luka Modric, the club is waiting for the final decision from Club Brugge regarding Swiss talent Ardon Jashari. Besides that, there should be additions to the defensive department, with the likes of Giovanni Leoni targeted, as well as a few left-backs (to replace Theo Hernandez who has left to Al-Hilal) and a new international striker to create competition with Santiago Gimenez. Time is running, and there is a lot of work still to do.
