AC Milan has played three matches in their preseason, and so far, the results have been encouraging.
Following an intra-squad friendly against Futuro at Milanello, the team departed for a tour in the Far East. Their campaign started with a 1-0 loss to Arsenal, where Bukayo Saka scored the only goal, although Lorenzo Torriani excelled in a penalty shootout afterward.
This was followed by an exciting 4-2 victory against Liverpool in Singapore, and they capped off their tour with a dominant 9-0 win over Perth Glory in their home stadium.
Despite factors surrounding each match, the combined 270 minutes of play provided insights into which players are quickly adapting to Massimiliano Allegri’s system and who still has work to do. Here’s our preseason stock assessment thus far.
📈 Rafael Leao
Fans were curious about Allegri’s approach to utilizing Leao, and early indications are promising. He has primarily played as part of a front two and has been a significant threat consistently. His stunning goal against Liverpool and a second-half brace against Perth Glory highlight his potential.
📈 Noah Okafor
Currently, Okafor is the top scorer in preseason, even outpacing Leao. His two goals against Liverpool in Hong Kong were encouraging, and he continued to find the net in Western Australia. Reports suggest that his strong start may have prompted management to reconsider his future, especially with interest from Bologna.
📈 Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek admitted to having a challenging 2024-25 season due to injuries, which hampered his performance. However, Allegri’s admiration for him is apparent. His contributions have included physicality, energy, and a goal against Liverpool that showcased his ability to break into the box effectively.
📉 Youssouf Fofana
It feels unfair to label players as ‘flops’ after a generally positive tour, but Fofana struggled to make an impact. Although not fully fit, he seemed uncomfortable with the ball against Liverpool and was inconsistent in possession against Perth.
📉 Matteo Gabbia
Gabbia’s situation isn’t due to poor performances but rather the circumstances of a changing lineup. Allegri opted for a three-man defense, placing Gabbia behind several other center-backs. While he’s been reliable in the past, this shift may hurt his position.
