Davide Bartesaghi is set to begin his first full-time season with AC Milan's senior squad. After spending recent years between the Primavera side and Milan Futuro, the 2005-born defender has become a regular part of the Rossoneri's pecking order, perhaps without receiving the recognition he deserves despite making 31 appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
Instant Growth
Bartesaghi's 2025/26 campaign under Massimiliano Allegri can be divided into two distinct phases. During the first half of the season, he was used primarily as a left wing-back in a system featuring a back three and a five-man midfield. It was a classic wing-back role, requiring him to provide width, support attacking moves, and quickly track back in defence.
By the way, for the Rossoneri fans who are waiting to see AC Milan in their first official fixture under the guidance of Ruben Amorim and to also see how Bartesaghi could evolve with the new tactical setup of the Portuguese coach, it may be a good opportunity to check out 1win crypto casino and perhaps strike gold while at it.
Some criticism was directed at him for his defensive decision-making, but his attacking numbers were genuinely impressive. And frankly, it matters little if statistics enthusiasts point out that he finished with zero assists: more often than not, the responsibility lies with the striker who fails to convert the chances created.
The arrival of Ruben Amorim is expected to significantly reshape Bartesaghi's role on the pitch. While maintaining the 3-4-2-1 formation as his preferred system, the Portuguese coach has handed the No. 33 a far more complex tactical assignment. Rather than being just a wing-back covering the flank, Bartesaghi will operate as a genuine hybrid between defender and midfielder. As previously reported on our site, he will serve as the backup to left centre-back Strahinja Pavlovic when needed, while also being expected to drift into central areas to compensate for the numerical disadvantage in midfield.
A Dual Role
Will this new interpretation bring out the best in his qualities? It will certainly be interesting to see how he performs as a natural defender, and his physical attributes should prove valuable in that role. However, as a wing-back, there will also be expectations for him to continue making the difference as he has already shown he can.
Last season, Bartesaghi was Milan's most accurate player from corner-kick deliveries (even in a squad that included Luka Modric) highlighting his technical quality and reliability with his final ball. His expected assists (xA) numbers speak for themselves, with an outstanding average of 4.06.
In previous seasons, Bartesaghi was viewed mainly as a promising prospect. Today, he has developed into a credible first-team option, allowing Milan to avoid searching for an undisputed starter in the transfer market. The Erba-born defender is an important part of the Rossoneri's impressive youth revolution, although media attention has focused far more on his friends Christian Comotto and Francesco Camarda. Perhaps that is for the best: the transformation envisioned by Amorim may have an even greater impact if it unfolds away from the spotlight.
