AC MILAN v BARI: MATCH PREVIEW | OneFootball

The real business is beginning: AC Milan's season starts here. The Rossoneri are ready to face Bari in the first round of the Coppa Italia at 21:15 CEST this evening at San Siro. Massimiliano Allegri's men will soon take to the pitch for their first competitive match of the campaign - a knockout tie and an intriguing early test. Here's our Match Preview:

LATEST FROM MILANELLO After weeks of tours, friendlies and preparations, AC Milan are set to play their first competitive match of the 2025/26 season. The first hurdle is the Coppa Italia, a competition the Rossoneri are determined to approach with the right spirit and ambition. Massimiliano Allegri, who won't be in the dugout due to a suspension carried over from the 2024 final, is expected to stick with the 3-5-2 formation used for much of pre-season. All eyes will be on the new signings, with Ricci, Modrić and Estupiñan among the names in contention to feature. Expectations are equally high for the established stars, especially Leão and the returning Pulisic. The objective is clear: progress to the next round while playing some convincing football and, in doing so, build confidence ahead of the Serie A opener.

"The Coppa Italia is one of our objectives this season," said Massimiliano Allegri in an interview with Milan TV. "There's great enthusiasm, a real desire to perform, and strong belief in the team's abilities. We'll need to play a responsible, disciplined game while showing our technical quality. This is a very important challenge for us mentally. Tomorrow, winning is what counts."

LATEST FROM BARI Bari arrive at San Siro with determination and a desire to make an impression. Coming off a Serie B season that saw them fall narrowly short of the play-offs, the Apulian side have strengthened their squad with targeted additions, blending experience with youth. Fabio Caserta favours a 4-3-3, with compact lines, quick play down the flanks, and a dynamic team shape. At the heart of the project are several new faces and young talents, including Braunöder and Emanuele Rao, on loan from Como and Napoli respectively. In attack, the experienced Gytkjær and Moncini could pose a threat. For the Biancorossi, it’s an opportunity to play at the Scala del Calcio and make their mark in a high-profile fixture. They'll try to approach the game with courage, aware that every detail can make a difference.

"This match is certainly a source of pride," said Fabio Caserta in his pre-match press conference. "We want to go for it, attempting ambitious moves while not giving anything away to our opponents. We must play as a team. I have a group willing to work hard and eager to improve".

PRE-MATCH STATS

WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN ON TV In Italy, the game will be live on Canale 5. To watch it from a different country, please consult the "AC Milan on TV" page. Follow Matchday on Milan TV: live coverage will begin at 20:30 CEST (and, as a special one-off, also on the AC Milan Official App for the unveiling of our new signings) until shortly before kick-off, with the game being followed by interviews and Coach Allegri's press conference. Don't miss out on our coverage via acmilan.com, the AC Milan Official App, our official social media channels and WhatsApp.

LATEST FROM THE COPPA ITALIA Alberto Ruben Arena will be the referee for the match. Fontemurato and Votta will be his assistants, while Sozza will perform the role of fourth official. Maggioni, assisted by Marinelli, will oversee VAR.

The Coppa Italia first round kicked off on Friday with Empoli 1-1 Reggiana (3-0 on pens), Sassuolo 1-0 Catanzaro, Lecce 2-0 Juve Stabia and Genoa 3-0 Vicenza. These were yesterday's results: Venezia 4-0 Mantova, Como 3-1 Südtirol, Cagliari 1-1 (5-4 on pens) Virtus Entella and Cremonese 0-0 (4-5 on pens) Palermo. Today, the following matches are scheduled: Monza v Frosinone (18:00 CEST), Parma v Pescara (18:30 CEST), Cesena v Pisa (20:45 CEST) and AC Milan v Bari (21:15 CEST). Tomorrow, these fixtures are in store: Audace Cerignola v Hellas Verona (18:00 CEST), Spezia v Sampdoria (18:30 CEST), Udinese v Carrarese (20:45 CEST) and, finally, Torino v Modena (21:15 CEST). The winner of AC Milan v Bari will face Lecce at the end of September.

Subscribe to the AC Milan WhatsApp channel!