GdS: Predicted XIs for Chelsea vs. AC Milan – Modric set for first start

AC Milan will play the final game of their preseason campaign on Sunday afternoon as they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

After the 1-1 draw against Leeds United in Dublin on Saturday, Massimiliano Allegri’s side will get a final run-out before the 2025-26 campaign properly kicks off, taking on the Club World Cup champions.

Chelsea vs. AC Milan: Predicted XIs

According to this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), Allegri is expected to name a three-man defence of Matteo Dutu, Fikayo Tomori and Filippo Terracciano ahead of Mike Maignan.

The five-man midfield line should consist of Alexis Saelemaekers and Davide Bartesaghi as the wing-backs, then Youssouf Fofana, Samuele Ricci and Luka Modric in the middle. It will be a first start for the Croatian since joining.

It is anticipated that Ruben Loftus-Cheek will act behind Rafael Leao, with Santiago Gimenez having started the game against Leeds. The likes of Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlovic, Pervis Estupinan, Ardon Jashari, Yunus Musah, Samuel Chukwueze, Noah Okafor and Gimenez should be on the bench.

Predicted Milan XI (3-5-1-1): Maignan; Dutu, Tomori, Terracciano; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Ricci, Modric, Bartesaghi; Loftus-Cheek; Leao.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Gittens, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.