The first competitive game of the 2025-26 season is scheduled for tomorrow, with AC Milan taking on Bari, and Max Allegri seems pretty set on the starting eleven already.
All things considered, it has been a positive pre-season for the Rossoneri despite the most recent loss against Chelsea. Allegri has tested three-man and four-man defences, while some of the new signings have got decent minutes in their legs.
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That being said, it feels rather obvious which team the manager will go with against Bari. That’s obviously because the new signings who arrived recently haven’t had that much time with the team, while the others have done quite well.
3-5-2 seemingly confirmed
Starting at the back, all reports are pointing towards a three-man backline and that feels reasonable indeed. Alex Jimenez has been struggling with some injuries and isn’t 100%, while Zachary Athekame was only announced yesterday. In short, there is no proper right-back.
Having a three-man defence, as such, allows Allegri to play Alexis Saelemaekers on the right flank instead. Pervis Estupinan has also shown that he needs to work a bit more on his defending, so playing him higher up should also help.
In the centre of the pitch, Samuele Ricci is a given after some very impressive displays in pre-season, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana are in better condition than Luka Modric and Ardon Jashari. Up front, we could be looking at Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao again.
Santiago Gimenez is also at Allegri’s disposal but he has only played one game with the team, and perhaps Allegri feels he’s better suited in a three-man attack (as a sole striker).
Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Ricci, Fofana, Estupinan; Pulisic, Leao.
Amazing, somehow they managed to make us even much worse than last season.
I’m losing all hope.
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And how can this is more worst than last season ??? From coach already better than last season also new player more promising than last season like modric, jashari, ricci, pervis,winter. Give a good reason why you say more worst than last season
interesting if pulisic and leao end up being our 9 and 11 spots. I guess Gimeniz and Mr .X might be the rotation? Allegri has always liked 2 systems in the past so maybe a 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 or 3-4-3…I think we are build for 3 attacking player spread wide vs 2 in the middle
Unfortunately it will be a month or more until midfield is ready.
Pulisic no 10
But this is classical transition squad
Where: Tomori can be right back with Gabbia Pavlovic cb pair and Estupinan left back
Easily go 3 5 2, where Saelemaekers and Estupinan go flank backs position.
I think like first commentator Milan is weaker than last season
Modric can’t be better than Reijnders. And Pulisic is bad as no 10.
Ricci and Jashari are youngsters….
Milan er better than last season, and are going to be resultwise too. RLC going to play 10 too. No problems for us. Ricci will be good for us this year same with Jashari.
As I mentioned in one of the previous posts, this formation worked vs Liverpool, it will work vs Bari as well. Bari will play defensively and it remains to be seen if we manage to break their defense, but I feel confident.
The defence is better in one position only, the left back. Theo could not defend. We are desperately seeking that first choice central centreback.
Once again it is a very poorly contstructed squad.
Our current squad neither suits 433 or 532.
We have no real full backs, and no backups for same if playing a 4
No depth at CB if playing a 3
Enough midfielders to play 3 but too many for a 2
If we play 532 which seems most likely Pulisic will end up on the bench in favour of a striker we have not yet signed.
Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlović; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Ricci, Fofana, Estupinan; Pulisic, Leao. Why couldn’t this be 4-3-3? Tomori right back, Salemakers RW, Pulisic LW and Leao CF??? In attack it will be 4-3-3, and in defense 5-4-1. Because this can’t be 3-5-2 considering the wings are RB and LB, it’s 5-3-2. There is so much to learn.
Im interested to see what leao offers in a sortve new position… Seems to be open to trying a more CF role with allegri… Hoping loftus has a ten goal season again… Think him and saelemakers will connect well from seeing them play well together last preseason. Don’t know much about Bari’s team… Fingers crossed we have a convincing win to get some confidence
Moving Tomori to RB in a 4 would solidify the backline with Athekame as a credible back up. That would depend on De Winter coming in strong at CB.
Our main formation should be 4-3-3 and the issue Allegri is having is player selection that’s all.
I like Allegri’s approach. Until Modric, Athekame and De Winter are match ready, Allegri is going with the formation best suited to the players who are already to play/start.
This was the starting XI to start against Torino to begin last year. 2-2 come from behind draw against Torino. This years team would destroy last year’s squad
Maignon
Calabria-Tomori- Thiaw-Salad
RLC -Benny
Laeo -Pulisic- Chuk
Morata
Unfortunately, not able to see Be winter/De fall in the first game, and showcasing his “brilliant” skills. But, It makes sense De Fall is the last CB in this Milan team lol
Hey, don’t make Dragonball meme dude waited too long! hahahah 😀
If allagri will be using polisic and leao as 2 strikers then there is no need of signing another number 9 Santiago gimnez is ok. Coz with these formation he will always remain on the bench.
well, just hoping the best for my team… winning
I want to see Pavlovic be consistent and properly weigh his passes. RLC will have a good game.
Pulisic. A # 10? We should have sold him while his value is high. I don’t see how’s he’s fitting in up front. He gets pushed of the ball too easily. Play Santee instead.
Yeah, he’s getting a three year extension and a 20% raise. Led the team in scoring the last two years. Good idea. Let’s put him on the bench. They will figure out how to use their best player to maximize his ability. You might want to follow rugby!