Milan’s predicted XI for the game against Bari: 3-5-2 formation likely

The first competitive game of the 2025-26 season is scheduled for tomorrow, with AC Milan taking on Bari, and Max Allegri seems pretty set on the starting eleven already. 

All things considered, it has been a positive pre-season for the Rossoneri despite the most recent loss against Chelsea. Allegri has tested three-man and four-man defences, while some of the new signings have got decent minutes in their legs.

That being said, it feels rather obvious which team the manager will go with against Bari. That’s obviously because the new signings who arrived recently haven’t had that much time with the team, while the others have done quite well.

3-5-2 seemingly confirmed

Starting at the back, all reports are pointing towards a three-man backline and that feels reasonable indeed. Alex Jimenez has been struggling with some injuries and isn’t 100%, while Zachary Athekame was only announced yesterday. In short, there is no proper right-back.

Having a three-man defence, as such, allows Allegri to play Alexis Saelemaekers on the right flank instead. Pervis Estupinan has also shown that he needs to work a bit more on his defending, so playing him higher up should also help.

Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

In the centre of the pitch, Samuele Ricci is a given after some very impressive displays in pre-season, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana are in better condition than Luka Modric and Ardon Jashari. Up front, we could be looking at Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao again.

Santiago Gimenez is also at Allegri’s disposal but he has only played one game with the team, and perhaps Allegri feels he’s better suited in a three-man attack (as a sole striker).

Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Ricci, Fofana, Estupinan; Pulisic, Leao.