Raduno, overseas friendlies and return to Italy: AC Milan’s preseason plans in full

It feels like the season only just ended, but we are already looking ahead to next season. But first, AC Milan must go through their pre-season schedule.

Only 31 days ago was when Milan last played, the 2-0 win against Monza. Then, in 29 days, the Rossoneri will return for the first game of their pre-season tour against Arsenal. That is not the first part of pre-season, though.

Between now and then, there is work to be done almost everywhere. Massimiliano Allegri will work with his players, the relevant parties will work in the mercato, and much, much more. So, it is best to look at the whole plan and dissect it a little.

The Raduno

Things start with the return to Milanello for the squad, and more pressingly, Allegri, who will take his first steps back in the training camp as head coach since 2014. In fact, he has actually brought the Raduno forward to Friday, July 4, seeking to have as much time with his squad as possible.

Last season, there were several questions about the time that coaches had to work with the team. Whilst this will not be as much of an issue, due to the lack of European football, the idea is to get the team together, learning the system as quickly as possible.

It also gives the players a chance to be around Allegri and get to grips with their new coach. Returning early is never a bad idea, really, and it can have massive impacts on the results at the end of the season.

So, in a week and a half’s time, the Diavolo and Allegri will return to Milanello to begin working. For reference, it is almost a week earlier than when Stefano Pioli brought his players back for the 2023/24 season, the last without a summer tournament.

Friendly schedule

Players don’t just return this early for no reason. In fact, the pre-season schedule is still gruelling with five friendlies already scheduled in a range of different locations. Meaning it will be demanding for the players.

With that said, many believe that a more difficult pre-season results in better results. Having a summer to lounge around without tests does not really aid anyone. Of course, with the earlier return to training and no international training, this should be the case anyway.

Anyways, the summer kicks off, quite literally, with a friendly against Arsenal in Singapore on the 23rd of July, 19 days after the Raduno, as MilanNews writes. Three days later, the Rossoneri will play Liverpool in Hong Kong.

Then, on the 31st of July, the Diavolo will play Perth Glory in, you guessed it, Perth. Perhaps the game will also be a test for the future, with a game abroad this season not to be ruled out, per recent reports.

Following this game, and a lot of travelling, there will be a little break in the fixtures. Not for too long, though, as new Premier League side Leeds United will face the Diavolo in Dublin on the 9th of August, whilst a day later the side will face Chelsea in London.

All in all, in three weeks, permitting a little time to rest and whatnot, the squad will fly 21,984 air miles, which is rather staggering. From this, the games in Hong Kong (Liverpool) and Perth (Perth Glory) may be the most difficult to take information from, given the shortage of time between games and flight times.

The end

So, with the Raduno done and the pre-season tour finalised, the final port of call is the Silvio Berlusconi Trophy, which will take place in August as well. However, the date is yet to be confirmed.

With that said, it should be played on the 19th or 20th of August, so a week and a bit after that game against Chelsea in London. Given the Serie A season starts on the 23rd of August, as was confirmed recently, the earlier the better.

Again, though, there is also the Coppa Italia fixture to deal with, though that is earmarked for the 16th of August.

In other words, Milan are in for a busy summer, and a summary can be found below:

➤ July 4 – Raduno

➤ July 23 – Arsenal vs. AC Milan

➤ July 26 – AC Milan vs. Liverpool

➤ July 31 – Perth Glory vs. AC Milan

➤ August 9 – Leeds United vs. AC Milan

➤ August 10 – Chelsea vs. AC Milan

➤ August 17 – Coppa Italia vs. Bari

➤ August 19/20 – Monza vs. AC Milan

➤ August 23 – AC Milan vs. Cremonese