GdS: Allegri requests ‘XXS squad’ – how Milan will handle the season short-staffed

AC Milan have come into the 2025/26 season with only 22 players, thanks to the wishes of Massimiliano Allegri.

With no Champions League football, Milan have needed to be smart in the mercato, more so than they usually do. Of course, this means that signings have had to be strict, with a limited budget and squad to fill.

That, it seems, has been taken to the extreme, though, with only 22 players in the squad this year.

Allegri’s request

As Gazzetta dello Sport writes, the Rossoneri have revolutionised, despite earlier words that they would not – something that we wrote about extensively recently. Now, Allegri finds a squad of just 22 at Milanello, it’s not considered short, but very short.

Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images

In the past five seasons, the Diavolo have never had a squad less than 26, and then we have to consider that there are only 19 outfield players to fill 10 positions. Is that enough, even without European football?

It will be dependent on several factors, of course. If players perform, if players get injured, and if the nine not selected on matchdays can make an impact.

There are reasonable doubts already about this team, and Allegri will be left with little wiggle room, though the margins are incredibly high. He requested a small team and he has got it. Whether he’ll be the one to pay or profit from that will be seen in May.