On Friday 2 February 2026, Milan will take to the pitch at 20:45 against Cagliari at the Unipol Domus. The two sides will open the 18th round of Serie A. For Milan, Friday’s match will be the first of six crucial fixtures in January. After Cagliari, the Rossoneri will face Genoa at home, Fiorentina away, Como away, Lecce at home and finally Roma away.
Cagliari–Milan will be a key turning point. Historically, trips to Cagliari have often been difficult, yet Allegri is hoping for a win that would allow Milan to equal one of their longest positive streaks of recent years. The Rossoneri are currently on a run of 15 consecutive unbeaten results in the league, with 10 wins and five draws. Milan have not recorded such a long unbeaten streak within a single Serie A season for three years. Looking back to Allegri’s first spell at the club, fate has it that this season, just like in 2010–11, Cagliari–Milan is the first match of the new year and again falls in the 18th round. That year, Milan won at the Unipol Domus thanks to a goal from Strasser. Perhaps on Friday the Rossoneri will once again manage to take home three vital points by the narrowest of margins. Cagliari, however, should not be underestimated. They are in good form and, among the top sides, have managed to hold Roma.
On 8 January, Milan will then host Genoa at San Siro, hoping that their first home match of 2026 will be a good omen. Ahead of their match against Pisa on Sunday 3 January, De Rossi’s side will need to respond after three consecutive defeats against Inter, Atalanta and Roma. Last season at San Siro, the game ended 0–0 amid whistles from the Rossoneri fans. After Genoa comes Fiorentina who, despite a disastrous season, still possess players of quality. It will be a difficult match, requiring a fight for every ball against a Viola side hovering on the edge, with another defeat meaning a further step toward Serie B. Moreover, recent meetings at the Franchi have always produced entertainment, from the 3–2 in the 2020–21 season to the 4–3 in 2021–22.
On 15 January, Como–Milan will be played, a clash of opposing philosophies. On one side, proactive and attacking football, on the other, a more cautious and pragmatic approach. Como are also the surprise team of the season and will likely battle with others for a place in Europe. After Como, Lecce will arrive at San Siro. On paper, this is the “easiest” match of January, as the visitors are fighting to avoid relegation and, in the two previous meetings, one in Serie A and one in the Coppa Italia, Milan have always won without conceding.
January will close with Roma–Milan. After the 1–0 defeat in November, the Giallorossi will be eager to respond, given that they have yet to record wins against the top sides this season. This is a significant statistic but, for that very reason, one that could quickly change. The last trip to Rome did not end well, a 3–1 home win in which Gimenez was sent off in the 21st minute, as relayed via Milan Press.
In short, the results in January will determine whether Milan will realistically be fighting only for a return to the Champions League or whether, with an extra push, they can aim for the Scudetto.
