AC Milan will play at San Siro for the first time in 31 days tonight as they welcome Lombardy neighbours Como.
There is a lot of intrigue surrounding this game for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Milan’s 3-1 against Como last month sparked a debate about style of play versus getting results, with Cesc Fabregas not too happy. Secondly, the Rossoneri need to win to keep Inter five points away.
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AC Milan vs. Como: Predicted starting XIs
In terms of selection issues, Adrien Rabiot will serve a one-match ban after his red card in Friday’s win over Pisa, while Santiago Gimenez is injured, Alexis Saelemaekers returned to full training and will be part of the matchday squad to face the Lariani.
According to this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Allegri will go with a three-man defence of Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlovic in front of the goalkeeper and captain Mike Maignan. Saelemaekers won’t be risked from minute one, with Zachary Athekame and Davide Bartesaghi the wing-backs.
The midfield trio is down as Ardon Jashari, Luka Modric and Samuele Ricci, the first time that the configuration will have been used if confirmed. Up front, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is anticipated to get the nod alongside Rafael Leao.
Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Athekame, Jashari, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Loftus-Cheek, Leao.
Predicted Milan bench: Terracciano, Torriani, Gabbia, Odogu, Estupinan, Saelemaekers, Fofana, Pulisic, Nkunku, Füllkrug.
Predicted Como XI (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Kempf, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Vojvoda, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.
Predicted Pisa bench: Tornqvist, Vigorito, Caqueret, Roberto, Lado, Rodriguez, Moreno, Kuhn, Carlos, Addai, Van der Brempt.
ℹ️ The predicted XIs for #MilanComo, according to @Gazzetta_it.
🤔 Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/sBz2Kwz0QG
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) February 18, 2026
Leao and rlc up front is joke
At least we’ll see the first sub during the half-time then. So-called-striker out and a proper striker in.
Leao with anyone other than Fulkrug up front is a joke.
My problem with Alegri is this, why not stick to the RCl Nkunkun pairing since Leao is just getting fit, Rabiot is suspended why not just swap with Rici, why over rotate the team against a dangerous Como side? Although it could work but it’s too risky if things fall apart early and then finger pointing will start, couple with the fact that Jashari and Rici are played out of position right now.
“with the fact that Jashari and Rici are played out of position right now.”
Not to mention RLC & Leao playing out of position too. Although it seems the right position for RLC is on bench but for some reason that won’t happen.
Ricci and Jashari out of position?
That’s truly surreal and in the end even comic, the ‘doom & gloom’ crew never gets tired of whining and complaining! Allegri’s tactical choices have been working great, do you even bother to fvckin’ watch our games???
100%,
I think it is the perfect choice, RLC can drop comfortably into midfield to overload it and Leao has the ability to counter on his own and with Jashari eagerness in midfield counter attacks will be imperative and Allegri can make 5 subs on and bring on Salesmekers, Pulisic, Fulkrug, Nukunku and Fofana to completely change everything
Latest news, RLC is injured so that won’t be the combination upfront
Max’s plan is predictable. First half defensive. Second half counters. Bring in Fulrkug and switch to 433 if we’re needing a goal.
RLC out