The highly anticipated knockout tie saw Milan field a 3-5-2 formation, starting Mike Maignan in goal, with Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, and Strahinja Pavlović in defense. New signings Samuele Ricci and Pervis Estupiñan were given their debuts, while Alexis Saelemaekers returned to the starting eleven after a season-long loan at Bologna. The midfield was anchored by Ricci, Youssouf Fofana, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with Saelemaekers and Estupiñan on the flanks. Up front, Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leão led the attack, both among Milan’s top scorers from the previous season.
AC Milan controlled the match tempo from the start. Bari, managed by Fabio Caserta, lined up in a 4-3-3 system with Elia Caprile in goal and a forward trio of Gastón Pereiro, Gabriele Moncini, and Giuseppe Sibilli. Despite a disciplined defensive display, Bari struggled to generate clear opportunities against Milan’s organized backline.
The breakthrough came in the first half, with Rafael Leão opening the scoring after a swift combination with Pulisic. Milan continued to press, and their dominance was confirmed when Pulisic doubled the lead in the second half, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Bari. The duo’s chemistry highlighted Allegri’s tactical decision to deploy them as a front two, compensating for the absence of a traditional center-forward like Santiago Gimenez.
The match also featured appearances from recent signings Luka Modrić and Ardon Jashari, who started on the bench but are expected to play key roles this season. Milan’s win ensures their progression to the next round of the Coppa Italia and sets a positive tone ahead of their Serie A opener against Cremonese.
For a detailed breakdown of the official line-ups and in-depth match coverage, visit the Coppa Italia: Milan vs. Bari – Confirmed line-ups and updates on Football Italia. Match highlights and analysis are also available via the AC Milan official Twitter.