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AC Milan in Europe: UCL Sep 2025 Lineups and Insights

AC Milan enters the 2025-26 season with renewed purpose, looking to focus on the domestic front after a disappointing 8th-place finish in last season’s Serie A. This 8th-place finish means the Rossoneri missed out on both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League, an unfamiliar place for the European giants. Milan can embrace the fact that there are no European commitments this season, and as a result, will focus squarely on the Coppa Italia and their league placement, hoping to help shore up their identity and return to their prior glories. 

This blog on 96 APK will explore all details related to AC Milan UCL 2025, including AC Milan preview, AC Milan Champions League, AC Milan betting odds, and AC Milan lineups.

AC Milan’s Coppa Italia Campaign

The 2025-26 Coppa Italia has 44 teams divided into a single-elimination format, which will pair and pit AC Milan against a mix of lower- and mid-table Serie A clubs. The competition began with the Rossoneri’s display of tactical discipline and attacking dynamism in a 2-0 win over Bari. However, the match also revealed some challenges on the horizon, as Milan’s star forward Rafael Leão picked up an injury as well. Nevertheless, AC Milan showed resilience, ultimately advancing confidently with the depth of the squad on display and tactical flexibility utilised in the match. With the Coppa Italia being the only competition Milan are in this season, each round takes on major importance both for silverware and confidence ahead of next season’s Serie A campaign.

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Squad and Key Players

Under Massimiliano Allegri, AC Milan’s squad mixes seasoned internationals with emerging talents. This combination is central to their strategy: experienced players provide leadership and composure, while younger players bring energy and dynamism.

Key squad members include:

  • Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (captain), Pietro Terracciano
  • Defenders: Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlović, Pervis Estupiñán, Koni De Winter
  • Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Youssouf Fofana, Ardon Jashari, Samuele Ricci, Adrien Rabiot
  • Forwards: Christian Pulisic, Alexis Saelemaekers, Samuel Chukwueze, Álvaro Giménez
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Luka Modrić, at the age of 40, is still beating the ageing process. In a recent Serie A match against Bologna, the winning goal was scored by him, and with that, he became the oldest midfielder to score in Serie A history. Modrić’s vision, distribution, and leadership will provide value for younger midfielders Loftus-Cheek and Jashari. Rafael Leão, when fit, continues to be Milan’s most important offensive threat, while both Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze provide pace and creativity. Defensively, Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlović provide solidity, and Theo Hernandez and Pervis Estupiñán offer attacking full-back options going forward.

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Tactical Approach and Formation

Allegri has predominantly favoured a 3-5-2 formation for Coppa Italia fixtures. This setup provides defensive stability while maintaining width through wing-backs and creative freedom in the midfield. Against Cremonese in the upcoming round, Milan is expected to field:

Starting XI (3-5-2):

  • Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
  • Defenders: Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlović
  • Midfielders: Alexis Saelemaekers, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Modrić, Youssouf Fofana, Pervis Estupiñán
  • Forwards: Christian Pulisic, Álvaro Giménez

This formation allows Milan to control possession and transition quickly from defence to attack. Allegri’s tactical flexibility also means the team can switch to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 mid-game, depending on match circumstances.

Coppa Italia Fixtures and Expectations

Milan’s Coppa Italia journey is difficult but still a winnable one. After battling Bari, the second round against Lecce is the first true test of character. Winning a knockout tournament can provide a confidence and momentum boost, which are important for their Serie A aspirations. He contributes to the experience of young players in each round, possibly developing players for future European tours.

Betting Insights and Odds

For bettors, AC Milan’s Coppa Italia matches also offer an interesting opportunity. Getting that mix of experience mixed with young players offers a unique opportunity; the Rossoneri is priced as a favourite in the majority of their fixtures against lower-half teams. Odds96 refers to Milan as strong in domestic competition, with Serie A odds implying a top-four finish is a likely outcome. All these odds take into account Milan’s potential, yet the difficulty in domestic competition of last season. For the bettor, this sports-gaming site is also more than just odds; they provide analysis, player stats and predictions to assist them with wagering hydration.

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Odds96 is a credible source for anyone dedicated to football betting and covers leagues and tournaments across the globe in detail. They canvass the breadth of information football gamblers need, from meticulous examination of team form to perceptions of player performance in the field. Their real-time odds, match predictions, and expert views might be particularly advantageous to domestic bettors on tournaments like the Coppa Italia, where betting insight could afford an extra level of poise against foreign bettors. Whether tracking the progress of AC Milan, watching other Serie A clubs, or betting against a series of domestic goals, bets always benefit from accurate real-time information.

Conclusion

For AC Milan, the 2025-26 season revolves around rebuilding and remaining domestically-focused, with no European competitions, so the side expends all energy on the Coppa Italia, depending on both veteran icons like Luka Modrić and new blood for navigating the knockout rounds. AC Milan is poised for success under Massimiliano Allegri’s leadership, employing tactical positional fluidity and depth for the squad. 

Fans can expect a season that champions resilience and sureness of play, as well as a pursuit of silverware, building a case against the inescapability of a brighter return to purely domestic football and a burgeoning Renaissance on the European scene.

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Isabelle Kent
With a degree in Statistics and Sports Management from the University of Liverpool, Isabelle Kent is a football-focused betting strategist and odds analyst with 7+ years of experience helping users in understanding betting mechanics across global football markets. She simplifies betting concepts, odds comparison across platforms. Isabelle also provides responsible betting guidance at joins96.com. Her content is built on transparency, data, and in-depth research for everyone, helping readers making smarter decisions on a global betting stage.