The countdown to Milan’s league debut is almost over. Tomorrow night at San Siro they face Cremonese, and this time, unlike the clash with Bari, Max Allegri will be on the bench. The Milan entering the 2025/26 season is a completely overhauled side, both in personnel and in philosophy. Over the summer, Tare never had a moment to breathe: seven signings and no fewer than twenty-two departures, with Boniface’s upcoming medicals potentially raising the total of official arrivals to eight.
For this Serie A opener, Max Allegri will have to do without his best player, the one who also shone brightest in preseason: Rafa Leao is out due to the calf injury he picked up in the Coppa Italia against Bari.
The choices of the coach from Livorno, who spoke at today’s press conference, should not differ much from what we’ve seen so far: a 3-5-2 with a strong midfield that can shift in possession into a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. Up front, Pulisic will partner with Santiago Gimenez, while in midfield there is just one doubt: Loftus-Cheek and Fofana are certain starters, but the question is who will join them—Modric or Ricci. Jashari will be on the bench, ready to come on. On the wings, Saelemaekers and Estupiñán will keep their places, while in defense Tomori, Gabbia, and Pavlovic are again trusted to start.
MILAN (3-5-2):
Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Fofana, Estupiñan; Pulisic, Gimenez.
