AC Milan will kick off their Coppa Italia campaign when they face Bari at home on Sunday.
The new season may still be in its infancy, but for AC Milan, the Coppa Italia offers an immediate opportunity to right the wrongs of a turbulent past year as they get set to take on Bari. After a forgettable 2024/25 campaign that saw them crash out early in Europe, finish a disappointing eighth in Serie A, and suffer heartbreak in the Coppa Italia final, the Rossoneri return to San Siro on Sunday evening hoping to make a firm statement of intent.
Now under the familiar guidance of Massimiliano Allegri, Milan’s identity is set for a major reset. Allegri, a two-time Scudetto winner with the club, returns to clean up the chaos left by Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao. Pre-season signs have been mixed, as thumping wins over Perth Glory and Arsenal were quickly tempered by a heavy loss to Chelsea and a frustrating draw with Leeds United. Still, there is optimism in Milan’s camp, especially with Real Madrid legend Luka Modric now pulling the strings in midfield.
This cup tie is not just about regaining form or testing new signings it is about asserting dominance. A club of AC Milan’s stature is not supposed to start the Coppa Italia journey this early, but recent failures have left them with no choice. A strong performance here is non-negotiable.
On the other side of the pitch, Bari enter the San Siro cauldron with a sense of quiet ambition. Last season’s disappointing mid-table finish in Serie B spelt the end for Moreno Longo, but with Fabio Caserta now at the helm, the southern outfit is hoping for a more defined sense of direction. Caserta, who led US Catanzaro into the promotion playoffs last term, brings a compact style of football designed to frustrate opponents and strike on the break.
Although Bari lack household names and star power, their collective discipline and the unpredictability of cup football make them dangerous in theory. Yet, realistically, this is as tough a start as they could have imagined. The last time they met Milan was over a decade ago in Serie A, and that gap alone says plenty about the gulf that still exists between the two teams. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
AC Milan
Massimiliano Allegri is expected to rotate his squad for the Coppa Italia opener against Bari, especially with the league campaign looming. This match offers him a valuable chance to test the depth of his squad, including some of Milan’s latest signings and promising youngsters. While a few core players are likely to feature, others will be rested or are no longer with the club.
This summer, Milan underwent notable changes in personnel. Belgian midfielder Ardon Jashari, who was named Pro League Player of the Season, has arrived to bring dynamism to the midfield. Joining him are former Torino star Samuele Ricci and Ecuadorian left-back Pervis Estupinan, both of whom are expected to play key roles under Allegri. Luka Modric, the marquee arrival from Real Madrid, is also in contention and will add composure and experience in the heart of the team.
The Rossoneri will be without the services of a few players due to injury. Luka Modric is not expected to be risked due to minor muscle fatigue and could be preserved for the Serie A opener. Additionally, Ismael Bennacer is continuing his rehabilitation from a long-term knee problem. There are no suspensions affecting the squad.
Milan are expected to line up in a familiar 4-3-3 formation under Allegri, with Pietro Terracciano starting in goal. Koni De Winter is likely to take up the right-back position, while Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic will form the central defensive pairing. On the left flank, new signing Pervis Estupinnan is set to start as the left-back.
In midfield, Yunus Musah will provide energy and transitional coverage from the right side of the trio. Samuele Ricci is expected to sit deepest in the regista role, orchestrating play and linking defence to attack. Ardon Jashari will complete the midfield trio, contributing both creativity and pressing intensity.
Up front, Christian Pulisic will likely operate from the right wing, using his pace and directness to challenge Bari’s defence. Santiago Gimenez, a natural No. 9, is expected to lead the line and act as the focal point of the attack. On the left wing, Rafael Leao brings flair and unpredictability, capable of unlocking defences with individual brilliance.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Terracciano; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Estupinan; Musah, Ricci, Jashari; Pulisic, Gimenez, Leao
Bari
Fabio Caserta is expected to field a well-balanced side that blends experience with youthful promise for this tough Coppa Italia opener against AC Milan. With the season still in its early stages, Caserta will likely use this match to solidify his preferred shape and test key summer additions against elite opposition.
Leading the line will be Christian Gytkjaer, the experienced Danish striker who joined from Venezia. Known for his physicality and hold-up play, Gytkjaer will be expected to lead the attack in Caserta’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. Supporting him will likely be Giuseppe Sibilli, who has impressed in pre-season, and Anthony Partipilo, the dynamic forward brought in on loan from Parma. Both players offer creativity and flair in the final third and will be tasked with linking midfield to attack.
Bari will have to make do without a couple of players due to fitness concerns. Vincenzo Colangiuli and Sheriff Kassama have both been training separately from the main squad throughout the week, dealing with muscular discomfort and are likely to be excluded from the travelling party. There are no suspensions affecting Caserta’s squad at this stage of the season.
Bari are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 shape, with Michele Cerofolini starting in goal. The three-man defence will feature Dimitrios Nikolaou at left centre-back, Francesco Vicari anchoring the backline centrally, and Raffaele Pucino taking up the right-sided centre-back role.
In midfield, Matthias Braunoder will play as a right wing-back, offering both width and recovery runs, while Alessandro Tripaldelli will do the same on the left flank. The central midfield pairing will likely include Nicola Bellomo and Riccardo Pagano, who will aim to disrupt Milan’s midfield rhythm and spring forward on the counter.
Further upfield, Giuseppe Sibilli and Gaston Pereiro will be deployed just behind the striker, functioning as attacking midfielders or inside forwards depending on how the game develops. Christian Gytkjaer will start as the lone centre-forward, using his experience to press defenders and capitalize on any half-chances that come his way.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Cerofolini; Nikolaou, Vicari, Pucino; Braunoder, Bellomo, Pagano, Tripaldelli; Pereiro, Sibilli; Gytkjaer
Key Stats
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AC Milan and Bari have met six times since 2009. Milan have won four of those encounters, with two ending in draws. Bari have yet to record a win.
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AC Milan have won seven of their last ten matches against Bari, drawing three and remaining unbeaten overall.
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AC Milan have not lifted the Coppa Italia since 2003, despite multiple final appearances since then.
- Matches between AC Milan and Bari tend to be entertaining, 80% of their meetings featured over 1.5 goals, and 50% delivered more than 2.5 goals per match
Player to Watch
Rafael Leao
If there is one player who could light up San Siro in AC Milan’s Coppa Italia opener, it is Rafael Leão. The Portuguese winger remains the heartbeat of Milan’s attack and will be central to their hopes of reclaiming silverware this season under returning coach Max Allegri.
Leao’s blend of raw pace, dribbling ability, and flair makes him nearly unplayable on his day. He has the unique capability to transform passive build-up into sudden danger. Whether it is beating his man on the outside or cutting infield to unleash a curling effort, Leao’s unpredictability makes him a nightmare for defenders.
In pre-season, even amid Milan’s inconsistent form, Leao was one of the few shining lights. His ball progression, take-ons, and link-up play with players like Christian Pulisic and new striker Santiago Gimenez hint at an evolving attacking trio.
Prediction
AC Milan 2-0 Bari
This fixture is stacked heavily in Milan’s favour, not just on paper, but in terms of momentum, experience, and squad depth. Expect Allegri to rotate smartly while still fielding enough firepower to break down Bari’s low block. Meanwhile, Milan’s pressing game will likely pin Bari deep inside their own half for large stretches.
Bari may hold firm in the opening phases, but the pressure is expected to tell eventually. With AC Milan eager to avoid a repeat of last season’s early exits, they should progress comfortably, with room to spare.
