Milan vs Bari: AC Milan kicked off their 2025-26 campaign with a 2–0 win over Bari in the Coppa Italia, featuring early strikes from Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic. Read our Milan vs Bari recap, lineups, injury updates, and what to expect next.
Match Recap: Milan vs Bari — A Solid Season Launch
AC Milan began their season with a straightforward 2–0 victory over Bari in the Coppa Italia Round of 32 held at a packed San Siro, hosting over 71,000 fans.
Rafael Leão opened scoring in the 14th minute with a powerful header from a Fikayo Tomori cross, though he exited shortly due to a calf injury.
- Christian Pulisic netted the second goal early in the second half after a slick combination with Santiago Giménez, marking a confident return from injury.
Luka Modrić made his competitive debut in the 66th minute, logging key minutes as Milan transitioned to a 4-3-3 formation.
Key Developments & Tournament Context
- Milan’s participation in this round a departure from their usual later entry—stemmed from finishing 8th last season and losing the Coppa Italia final to Bologna.
- The win places Milan in the next round, where they’ll face Lecce in September.
- Manager Massimiliano Allegri served a two-match suspension and was replaced at the dugout by assistant Landucci.
Player Highlights & Ratings
- Christian Pulisic (7.5 – MOTM): Strong comeback, assisted by Giménez, hit the crossbar, extremely active.
- Rafael Leão (7): Started the scoring with his classic aerial threat; his early exit raises fitness concerns.
- Luka Modrić (6): Calm, controlling presence off the bench; a glimpse of his veteran class.
Other notable performances came from Fofana, Loftus-Cheek, Tomori, and Saelemaekers who all put in solid displays.
😅 Antonio doing everything to not have to choose between Milan or Bari pic.twitter.com/Ga4VperdDz
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) August 17, 2025
Broader Context — What It All Means
Christian Pulisic, returning from a pre-season ankle knock, is under pressure to surpass his previous season’s output (17 goals, 12 assists in 50 apps). He enters 2025-26 with ambition and renewed confidence, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
Rafael Leão’s injury, though minor, will be closely monitored ahead of Milan’s Serie A opener against Cremonese on August 23.
AC Milan proceeds into the regular season with a sense of defensive solidity and attacking rhythm—notable positives after the off-season shuffle. Plus, Franco Baresi, club legend and honorary vice president, recently had successful lung surgery; the team and fans are rallying behind him.