The summer of 2025 has been nothing short of transformative for AC Milan. New leadership, a new (and familiar) coach in Massimiliano Allegri, and a string of eye-catching signings have set the stage for what could be one of the club’s most intriguing campaigns in years.
But with the Scudetto race expected to be fiercer than ever, the question remains: Can Milan realistically challenge for the title?
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A squad rebuild: from Reijnders to Ricci, from Theo to Estupiñán
Few Serie A sides have undergone as much change this summer as Milan. The departures of key figures like Tijjani Reijnders (€55m to Man City), Theo Hernández (to Al-Hilal for around €22 million), and Malick Thiaw (€40m to Newcastle) could have left a gaping hole in both quality and leadership.
Instead, the Rossoneri moved decisively: Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari arrive to anchor the midfield, Pervis Estupiñán slots in at left-back, and Luka Modrić – yes, that Luka Modrić – brings Champions League-winning pedigree and a winner’s mentality to the dressing room.
Allegri now has a deeper midfield than at any point in recent memory, though the search for a new No. 9 (with Rasmus Højlund as the top target) remains ongoing.
Allegri’s blueprint: stability first, then flourish
In pre-season, Allegri consistently rolled out variations of 3-4-2-1, 3-5-2, and 3-4-3, using the extra centre-back to solidify the defence while freeing up his wing-backs to push high. This shape suits the personnel and is built on discipline and tactical flexibility, to avoid the chaotic inconsistency that plagued last season’s 8th-place finish.
One of the more intriguing tweaks? Rafael Leão operating as a central striker in a front two, or as the left-sided forward in a 3-4-3. The Portuguese star, traditionally a left-wing terror, has shown glimpses of becoming a lethal focal point through the middle. With Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze providing width – and Modrić pulling the strings when called upon – Milan suddenly have multiple ways to hurt opponents.
Pre-Season: mixed signals, but no injuries
Results ranged from a 9-0 demolition of Perth Glory to a 1-4 loss at Chelsea (played mostly with 10 men after an early red card), but Allegri brushed off the numbers. “When the season starts, everything changes”, he said, emphasising the value of fitness and organisation over summer scorelines.
The biggest pre-season victory? No major injuries. In a year when depth could decide the title race, having a full-strength squad on matchday one is a luxury Milan fans won’t take for granted.
The title landscape: Inter, Juve… and a dangerous outsider
Bookmakers still see Inter Milan as the Scudetto favourite, with Juventus just behind. Milan’s odds, hovering around 6.5:1, place them alongside Napoli in the “dangerous outsider” category.
“With Allegri’s return and a rebuilt midfield, Milan’s title chances have improved significantly,” notes Jörn Schneider of MyWettanbieter.de, a leading comparison portal for betting providers in Germany. “While Inter remain the benchmark, the Rossoneri’s mix of experience and youth makes them one of the most intriguing bets in the market.”
The message is clear: Milan may not start the season as favourites, but they have the profile of a side capable of pouncing if the top two slip.
The intangibles: leadership and mentality
Beyond tactics and transfers, Allegri is banking on a shift in mentality. “We must win back respect through responsibility and results,” he told reporters in July. Modrić echoed that sentiment in his unveiling: “Milan cannot accept mediocrity.”
It’s a message aimed not just at the players, but at a fan base eager to believe again. After the turbulence of 2024/25, there’s a palpable hunger at Milanello to restore the Rossoneri’s place at the top.
Poised to surprise?
A new coach. A rejuvenated midfield. A clean bill of health. While the gap to Inter and Juve is still real, Milan enters 2025/26 with both the tools and the tactical nous to close it.
If Leão adapts fully to the striker role, if Modrić’s experience lifts the team’s big-game performances, and if Allegri’s defensive foundation holds, the Scudetto dream might just be alive come spring. And in a league as unpredictable as Serie A, that might be all they need.
