Official: AC Milan vs. Bari starting XIs – Allegri opts for three centre-backs

Massimiliano Allegri has named the first competitive starting line-up of his second spell in charge of AC Milan.

After finishing eighth in the 2024-25 season, Milan enter the Coppa Italia at the last 32 stage rather than the round of 16. As such, their season starts a week earlier than the rivals, facing Bari at San Siro tonight.

AC Milan vs. Bari: Official starting XIs

Allegri has chosen to name a three-man defence, with Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupinan as the wing-backs either side of the centre-back trio of Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic from right to left.

The coach has opted to field a midfield trio ofSamuele Ricci, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana. It means that new signings Ardon Jashari and Luka Modric start on the bench, as does Koni De Winter.

Up front, Rafael Leao will lead the line alongside Christian Pulisic who will likely play in a role slightly behind him, having recovered from the ankle knock he received in the game against Liverpool.

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

Bench:

Official Bari XI ():

Bench: