AC Milan 2024/25 season preview: Predicted line-up, key fixtures and players to watch
AC Milan's main aim for the 2024/25 Men's Serie A season will be to redeem themselves following a troubled campaign last year under Stefano Pioli. They struggled to make a credible title challenge, were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage, and missed the chance to reach the Europa League semi-final after losing to AS Roma.
Pioli paid the price with the sack for his second straight trophyless season at the club and was replaced by Paulo Fonseca, who joined from Lille after weeks of speculation and other potential candidates, such as Julen Lopetegui, Roberto De Zerbi and Antonio Conte, being linked with the post.
Fonseca is likely to bring changes on multiple fronts, starting with the playing philosophy – the former Roma boss favours possession-based football and is expected to shape a team that feels at ease on the ball rather than relying on counterattacks. The Portuguese's main challenge, however, will be to integrate Milan's new signings as quickly as possible.
AC Milan 2024 summer transfers
Milan's strategy in the transfer market hasn't been immediately clear. After spending the opening weeks of the summer window trying to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, whose move was reportedly hijacked by his agent's lucrative requests, the Rossoneri opted for a different offensive profile in Alvaro Morata, who returned to Serie A for just €13 million.
The club's new advisor to the ownership, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and the management then focused on securing a defensive reinforcement. Strahinja Pavlovic joined from Red Bull Salzburg to become a new cornerstone to Fonseca's rearguard.
Following lengthy negotiations, the Diavolo also sealed a deal for Tottenham's Emerson Royal, who is expected to be the coach's first-choice right-back.
Aside from Olivier Giroud's exit, there were no significant departures – on the contrary, Milan have been linked with a number of names that could add depth in midfield in the final weeks of the transfer market.
How will AC Milan line up in the new season?
As much as their tactical principles should differ from the recent past, Fonseca is expected to keep the 4-2-3-1 formation that the Rossoneri had been using with Pioli.
With the likes of Theo Hernandez, Christian Pulisic and Rafa Leao likely to be considered untouchable, the integration of the new signings will probably be the main concern for the Portuguese manager.
Emerson Royal should take Davide Calabria's place at right-back to provide Fonseca with more quality both in the build-up and in the final third. On the other hand, Pavlovic is also expected to become a regular starter alongside Fikayo Tomori.
After piling up some promising displays during the pre-season, Samuel Chukwueze could see his playing time increase compared to last season, although he'll face stiff competition for a place in the trio behind Alvaro Morata.
This is what AC Milan's predicted first-choice line-up for 2024/25 looks like as of today: Maignan; Emerson Royal (Calabria), Pavlovic, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Reijnders, Bennacer; Pulisic (Chukwueze), Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Morata.
AC Milan's key fixtures in 2024/25
Following his Serie A debut on AC Milan's bench against Torino on August 17 at the Stadio San Siro, Fonseca will face a tough third matchday as they'll travel to the Stadio Olimpico to face Lazio on August 31 before the international break.
However, the magnitude of that game won't compare to the Derby della Madonnina, which will fall on the third matchday (September 21/22) for a third consecutive season. Needless to say, after losing five straight matches against Inter in 2023, plus a fourth in 2024, such a fixture carries immense pressure for Fonseca and the players.
Milan will then play more high-profile fixtures at home with Juventus and Napoli on October 30 and November 24 (dates to be confirmed) respectively, while an away clash against the Bianconeri in the second half of January will mark their first stern test of the second half of the campaign.
The return match against Simone Inzaghi's side will come in early February, another traditional month for Milan derbies in recent years.
Fonseca's outfit will then have a trip to Napoli's Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on the last weekend of March and will play their final match of the season at home against Monza on May 25, 2025.
AC Milan players to watch this season
Time will be a crucial factor to understand which players will benefit the most from the changes adopted by Fonseca, but some of them seem particularly fitting to his offensive playing style.
Both Pavlovic and Tomori's qualities, such as physicality and ability in man-to-man marking, could combine very well in a team that tries to be aggressive and quickly recover the ball.
After a season marked by highs and lows, Tijjani Reijnders' game could also be enhanced by Fonseca's will to keep possession for longer periods of time. The Dutchman could take a serious step during the new season after taking a year to settle.
The pace of both Leao and Chukwueze will make them two of the Rossoneri's most effective weapons, notably with a dynamic forward in Morata working tirelessly to open up spaces for them. Chukwueze has had an excellent pre-season and like Reijnders, could take the next step this season.