Christopher Nkunku is the favourite to start alongside Rafael Leao for AC Milan in their game against Roma tonight, and there is a tactical reason for that. The initial predicted starting elevens had Pulisic included up front, seeing as he's been one of the Rossoneri's best players this season. However, in his last two games, he has missed some pretty good chances and perhaps this has given Allegri some second thoughts.
The final training session took place at Milanello today ahead of the Sunday trip to Roma, and some news emerged about the team. The countdown continues to tomorrow night's big match between Roma and Milan, which will be played at the Stadio Olimpico at 20:45 CET. It could well be a game that defines how the rest of the season goes, given how tight it is at the top.
For most of the first half of the season, the squad depth was the main topic among Milan fans. Between injuries, suspensions and deputies not cutting it, the Rossoneri definitely didn't perform as well as they could have done on the pitch. Yet, they managed to ride out the worst storms and now have 46 points after 21 games, only losing one game as well (the opening round).
Andrea Colombo will officiate the game between AC Milan and Roma tomorrow evening. For the Rossoneri, it's a chance to improve their record with the referee. After 21 games, Milan have an impressive 46 points to their name and haven't lost since the opening round against Cremonese. However, Inter are currently six points ahead of the Rossoneri, so beating Roma tomorrow will be crucial.
The goal remains to bring Massimiliano Allegri a new defensive addition who can provide solutions beyond Strahinja Pavlović, Koni De Winter, Fikayo Tomori and Matteo Gabbia. The coach would like someone with experience and perhaps a good understanding of Italian football. No significant steps in this direction have been made in recent days because Igli Tare is seeking the best possible solution, both technically and financially.
A 'Welcome to Milan' video was published today across the social channels, and it is a nod towards the bond between sport, culture and the city. Through a collective narrative featuring both male and female players from the club, Milan comes to life through various themes. For example, style is embodied by Adrien Rabiot as an expression of the world's fashion capital. Art and vision was entrusted to Luka Modrić, who in the video takes on the role of an artist painting San Siro,
Rather than using January to complete new signings, AC Milan are hoping for signatures from some current players deemed very important. Quotidiano Sportivo write this morning that Gerry Cardinale's visit to Milanello after 513 days of absence was an important sign. The owner landed in Italy to stress continuity and unity, in other words the desire to continue on the same course.
Fabio Capello believes that AC Milan are lacking a decisive player like Lautaro Martinez, but if they beat Roma they must aim for the title. Milan began the 2025-26 season under Massimiliano Allegri with the main objective being Champions League qualification, after the eighth-placed finish in the last campaign. So far things are looking good, with a seven-point gap to fifth place.
While Inter will have to share their energy and focus with the Champions League (and Coppa Italia), the Rossoneri can prepare for their matches with a full week of work, a detail that often makes the difference in the spring. Allegri reiterated this after Lecce, emphasising that 'working consistently throughout the week allows us to focus on the details and grow as a team'. He also pointed to March as the decisive month, and in just over one month it will arrive.
For any team to dream big, the whole squad needs to contribute. Finally, AC Milan are getting answers from their 'reserves'. La Gazzetta dello Sport write that there is 'life beyond the usual suspects'. The likes of Pulisic, Leao, Modric and Rabiot will always be the pillars of this side, but what is comforting for Massimiliano Allegri is that the deputies are contributing to the cause too now.
The game between AC Milan and Como has caused no end of stress, and there is still no date locked in for when it will be played. In case you missed the news, the match against Como at San Siro has been postponed due to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which will make the usual stadium unusable for the Rossoneri and the Nerazzurri.
AC Milan could add another wingback in the latter parts of the January mercato, and a lot of it will be down to Alexis Saelemaekers. In the summer, there were questions about how Milan could cope without any real established right-back or wing-back depth. Of course, Saelemaekers would take the leading role, after a fantastic season with AS Roma. However, Fikayo Tomori and Zachary Athekame were the two options to follow him; with respect, a quite substantial drop.
Listen to me, it's crucial: stay in the present, stay focused on what's happening right now. What's happening before, to others, on the pitch, teammates, opponents, stay focused on what's happening to you, do your thing, like you did there at the end. For me, that was fantastic. That's it, just stay focused on the game: it's important, Mike!
