AC Milan 2025/26 Guide: New Signings, Starting XI and Predicted Finish | OneFootball

Last season was an unmitigated disaster for AC Milan, who head into the 2025/26 campaign with a new-look squad and new management.

Despite a raft of high-profile signings, management shifts derailed the team’s performance, leading to their lowest Serie A finish since 2014/15.

Paulo Fonseca didn’t meet expectations at San Siro and had to go already in December, with his compatriot, Sergio Conceicao, taking over.

Although he helped Milan win the Supercoppa Italiana against the odds, the rest of his tenure was underwhelming.

It’s perhaps a generous assessment, considering the seven-time European champions slumped to a dismal eighth-place finish.

A narrow 1-0 loss to Bologna in the Coppa Italia final added insult to injury, denying Milan their last chance to secure European football.

Without the lure of continental action, they’ve undergone significant personnel changes this summer.

Aware of the situation, the club realised the importance of appointing an experienced coach, resulting in the return of Maximiliano Allegri to the helm.

Without further ado, here is our Milan season preview for 2025/26.

AC Milan Fixtures

Allegri’s second touchline debut at Milan sees the Rossoneri entertain newly-promoted Cremonese at the San Siro in their opening fixture.

Milan’s first away league game of the season pits them against perennial bottom-half strugglers Lecce, followed by an exciting home match against Bologna.

The first tough run stretches from late September to early November, featuring a string of high-profile games against Napoli (H), Juventus (A), Pisa (H), Atalanta (A), Fiorentina (H) and Roma (H).

One of the most highly anticipated fixtures in the Serie A calendar arrives on November 23 as Milan face Inter Milan in the first Derby della Madonnina of the season, with the reverse clash scheduled for March 3.

Allegri’s side drops the curtain on their 2025 schedule at home to Hellas Verona and kicks off the new calendar year with a trip to Unipol Domus to meet Cagliari.

However, the period between early March and the start of April could be a season-defining patch, with the Rossoneri locking horns with Inter (H), Lazio (A), Torino (H) and Napoli (A).

Milan’s season ends at home to Cagliari.

Manager

Last season’s gambles didn’t pay off, prompting Milan to turn to Allegri once again, hoping he could revitalise the team’s mentality after a catastrophic year.

Allegri won the Scudetto during his previous stint at the San Siro.

However, he had the most complete squad in recent Serie A memory, featuring Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Andrea Pirlo and many other stars.

He left Milan in 2014 to take charge of Juventus, where he won five consecutive league titles while leading the club to two Champions League finals.

In doing so, he earned a reputation as a serial winner, gaining recognition for his tactical ingenuity and the solid defensive performances his teams consistently deliver.

Allegri’s reputation took a hit during his second stint in Turin, as his defensive-minded approach drew criticism for being overly cautious and lacking attacking flair.

Milan could use the Italian manager’s attention to detail and a robust defensive structure after a leaky campaign, but questions remain about whether his style can ignite their attack.

Transfers

There’s a genuine feeling that the outgoings have overshadowed the incoming deals at the San Siro during the summer transfer window.

For starters, Milan sold long-serving stalwart Theo Hernandez to Al-Hilal.

Despite his sub-standard form in 2024/25, the Frenchman was one of the most influential figures at the club and remains arguably among the best left-backs in the world.

Hernandez’s exit pales in comparison to Tijjani Reijnders’ sale to Manchester City. The Dutchman was a rare shining light last term and the club’s top scorer in Serie A.

With the club reluctant to offer them fresh terms, Alessandro Florenzi, Davide Calabria and Luka Jovic have left as free agents, while young gun Francesco Camarda joined Lecce on loan.

Milan have also loaned out Tomasso Pobega to Bologna and completed the sales of fringe players Marco Pellegrino and Emerson Royal to Boca Juniors and Flamengo, respectively.

As for the incoming market, Samuele Ricci has arrived from Torino to replace Reijnders. Milan have spent a small fortune to sign Ardon Jashari from Club Brugge after a protracted transfer saga.

Luka Modric has penned a short-term contract after parting ways with Real Madrid.

Pervis Estupinan will take Hernandez’s place after his move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Starting XI

Based on Milan’s pre-season friendlies, Allegri looks set to switch from last season’s 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2.

Star goalkeeper Mike Maignan has a guaranteed starting spot in goal.

Last year’s signing, Strahinja Pavlovic, has also cemented his place in the starting line-up, alongside Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori.

However, with Thiaw set to leave the San Siro, Milan have already turned to Genoa’s Koni De Winter to fill the vacancy.

As aforementioned, Estupinan will take Hernandez’s spot on the left, with Alexis Saelemaekers emerging as a strong contender for the wing-back position on the right.

Youssouf Fofana, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ricci could line up in the centre of the field, although Modric will likely get the nod ahead of the Englishman when fit.

Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are ahead of Samuel Chukwueze and Santiago Gimenez in attack.

Things could change if Milan sign either Dusan Vlahovic or Rasmus Hojlund.

(3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Estupinan, Modric, Fofana, Ricci, Saelemaekers; Leao, Pulisic.

Star Player

Tension between Fonseca and Leao was part of the reason Milan never reached their full attacking potential last season.

Often frustrated with a lack of understanding with both coaches, Leao endured arguably his worst season with Milan.

The 26-year-old bagged eight goals and ten assists in 34 appearances. However, that wasn’t nearly enough from the 2022/23 Serie A MVP.

A return to form and a better connection with Allegri could be Milan’s best chance of returning to a top-four picture this term.

Prediction

Only time will tell whether Milan made the right choice by bringing Allegri back, especially after his torrid second stint at Juventus.

Napoli, Inter and Juventus all look well ahead of the Rossoneri, while Roma could emerge as a valid top-four contender under Gian Piero Gasperini.

Allegri’s defensive-minded approach should help Milan plug their defensive leaks, although it will probably come at the expense of their scoring output.

Either way, another season without Champions League qualification looks likely.

Predicted finish: 5th.

How to watch Serie A live this season

DAZN has the rights to show Serie A fixtures in the UK, Ireland and US. Here is more information on how to live stream Serie A matches wherever you are in the world.

Also Read: Serie A 2025/26 Predictions: Title Race, Top-Four Contenders, Relegation and Golden Boot