Max Allegri explains his Milan midfield options against Roma tonight, pointing out that Samuel Ricci can make the most of Luka Modric’s marking.
The match will kick off at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET) at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
advertise
You can follow all the preparations and action from today’s Serie A match on the live blog.
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri watches the Serie A match between AC Milan and Verona FC of Greece at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzani/Getty Images)
The Rossoneri are torn between trying to stay in Serie A and remaining vigilant in an increasingly fierce battle for a Champions League spot.
“When you play against teams that are man-on-man, you have to be technically precise. They are in great shape and have a lot of talent, so it will be a very exciting game,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.
advertise
Allegri outlines changes at Milan
FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 11: AC Milan’s Samuel Ricci during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on January 11, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Ricci made a surprise appearance in midfield alongside Modric and Adrien Rabiot, sending Aldon Jashari and Youssef Fofana to the bench.
“He is in a period of good form, and everyone is in good form, but in the midfield, he is closest to Modric’s characteristics, so we can give Modric a little more freedom. He can drop deeper, and he can also be a midfielder to protect the defense.”
advertise
Modric says he’s surprised at being marked to a degree he’s not used to in every Serie A game, so should the former Real Madrid man expect the same tonight?
“When he came on as a substitute against Lecce he was marked so that seems to be a recurring theme. That’s why others have to perform well around him.”
Santiago Jimenez is the only missing player, with Alexis Sallemaikos coming off an injury start against his former club.
Strahinja Pavlovic is on the bench after receiving nine stitches on his head, so Koni De Winter retains his place in defence.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 8: AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri gives instructions to the team during the Serie A match between AC Milan and CFC Genoa at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 8, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzani/Getty Images)
advertise
Milan are unbeaten since the opening weekend of Serie A, so despite Bayern Munich’s defeat in the Bundesliga yesterday, they have the longest winning streak of any of Europe’s top five leagues.
The Stadio Olimpico is also special to Allegri as it was the venue where Allegri won his first Serie A title with Milan in a 0-0 draw in 2011 and was also the venue where he was sacked by Juventus in the Coppa Italia final.
“Life is wonderful precisely because of these events and coincidences. It was a great night to win the championship here and we have a very difficult game tonight but we hope to get a positive result tonight and allow our journey to continue and take another small step forward.”
“Juventus beat Napoli today so they are really crowded behind us and there is still a long road ahead and we need to be patient,” Allegri added.
