Milan vs Chelsea: The Third Pre-Season Friendly
Following the draw in the Perth Derby against Inter, AC Milan are back on the pitch for the third pre-season friendly of the 2026 campaign: the opponents this time are Chelsea, in what promises to be a high-level test for Ruben Amorim‘s side. The match will be played in Indonesia, a country where the Rossoneri shirt enjoys extraordinary popularity and where Milan fans follow every step of the club’s journey with incredible passion and dedication. The occasion also marks the official presentation of the new third kit for the season, already previewed in Jakarta.
Amorim Experiments: The Probable Line-up
As seen in the previous outings, the Portuguese manager is sticking to his philosophy of experimentation. This pre-season has a very specific purpose for Amorim: to observe, assess and decide the future of every member of the squad before the official start of the season. It is no coincidence that certain players — including Kostic and other profiles deemed outside the project — have already been sent back to Milan, while other young players such as Comotto and Cissé have been kept in the touring group.
According to the latest reports on probable line-ups, the defence could feature a mixed trio of experienced and younger profiles, with Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlović among the most likely starters. Matteo Gabbia remains a reference point at the back.
In midfield, the most fascinating pairing is between young Comotto and veteran Luka Modrić: an eighteen-year-old and a champion approaching forty-one, standing side by side. It is no small detail — Comotto, who recently signed a new deal until 2031, had openly stated that the Croatian is one of his idols. On the midfield flanks, Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupiñán are expected, with Yunus Musah and Youssouf Fofana as alternatives.
In attack, the most likely front three sees Christopher Nkunku on the right, Rafael Leão on the left, and Gonçalo Ramos as the central striker — an attacking unit that could well be the same one deployed from the first league game against Torino. Samuel Chukwueze, Francesco Camarda and other young players in the squad are expected to feature in the second half.
Young Talents Under the Spotlight
One of the most compelling aspects of this summer tour is the visibility being given to Milan’s young talents. Players like Comotto, Cissé and Camarda have the chance to show they can hold their own against international-level opposition. For them, this is not just a friendly: it is a genuine audition in front of the new manager. Amorim is well known for his willingness to trust young players — as proven during his time at Sporting CP — and those who seize the moment could earn a place in the final squad or at least a high-profile loan move.
One to watch closely is Samuel Chukwueze: the Nigerian winger possesses undeniable quality in attack — dribbling, pace, crossing — but still has significant room to improve in the defensive phase, as shown in a few situations in previous matches. Amorim expects greater tactical awareness without the ball.
Back to Milanello
After the Chelsea fixture, Milan will return to Italy. Training at Milanello is set to resume on 12 July, when the remaining players still to join the group will check in — among them goalkeeper Mike Maignan and midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who will be assessed on their physical condition upon returning to Italy ahead of the start of the official season.
