Milan – Bari Coppa Italia

The 2024-2025 Serie A eighth placed finish wasn’t enough for Milan to get a bye into the last 16 stage of the 2025-2026 Coppa Italia. Bologna won last season’s Coppa Italia and grabbed the last 16 slot despite finishing 9th and behind Milan. Milan will now have to play this match and if Bari are beaten meet Lecce (who beat Juve Stabia this week) in the last 32 stage in September.

It has been another summer of change, ala another year zero, for Milan. More on this coming soon ahead of the Serie A opening season next weekend. For now however Milan are lacking center forward options with only Gimenez the true one available to start. Allegri has been using and testing a 3-5-2 with Leao and Pulisic up front. It looks like this will be used in this match to kick off competitive games for the 2025-2026 season.

Maignan will start and the summer has included whispers of the French keeper leaving. Milan seem intent on keeping the player but an extension is yet to be agreed on his 2026 expiring contract. The back three is like to feature familiar names of Tomori, Gabbia and Pavlovic. Newcomer De Winter is ready to support. The five man midfield will look different. Saelemaekers is back from loan and very likely to stay. The Belgian will start on the right side with Loftus-Cheek, Ricci, Fofana and Estupinan completing the middle. Jashari and Modric have joined the team more recently and may be mostly saved for the Serie A opener.

As mentioned Allegri has little options upfront even though Okafor is still part of the team and in good form. Chukwueze finished last season showing flashes of for in rare minute. The Nigerian is also clearly a good teammate, deserves to stay with the team and is available as well.

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