Chelsea vs AC Milan: 2025/26 Pre-season friendly match preview, prediction
Chelsea’s defender, Reece James in a ball duel against AC Milan’s defender, Fikayo Tomori. Photo Credit- Football Italia
The 2025/26 pre-season reaches its climax as Chelsea host AC Milan in the VisitMalta Weekender at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 10, 2025, with a 3:00 PM BST kick-off. This high-profile friendly, part of Chelsea’s pre-season preparations following their FIFA Club World Cup campaign, pits Enzo Maresca’s revitalized Blues against Massimiliano Allegri’s resurgent Rossoneri. With both teams fine-tuning their squads for the Premier League and Serie A, this clash promises tactical intrigue and star power. This piece is set to explore their performances, tactics, team news, injuries, head-to-head statistics, and predict the scoreline.
Chelsea team performances
The Blues, under Enzo Maresca, are coming off a strong 2024/25 Premier League season, finishing fourth with 67 points to secure UEFA Champions League qualification. Their pre-season, however, has been mixed, with a grueling FIFA Club World Cup campaign in USA during June and July 2025. Chelsea’s attacking output was potent last season (1.9 goals per game), driven by Cole Palmer’s 22 goals and 11 assists. Pre-season has seen Maresca experiment with new signings like Liam Delap, though defensive lapses, remain a concern. Facing Bayer Leverkusen on August 8 in the VisitMalta Weekender, Chelsea aim to build momentum before their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 17.
Chelsea tactical breakdown
Maresca’s 4-2-3-1 formation blends high pressing with positional fluidity, leveraging Enzo Fernández and Moises Caicedo’s midfield dynamism to control games. Cole Palmer operates as a creative No. 10, feeding wingers Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto (a potential new signing) and striker Nicolas Jackson. Defensively, Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo provide solidity, though pre-season errors suggest work is needed. Chelsea’s strategy will likely involve pressing Milan’s midfield to disrupt Luka Modric, while exploiting wide areas with Neto. Their 66.7% total goals over rate in recent matches indicates an attacking approach, but Maresca’s focus on defensive transitions will be tested by Milan’s pace.
Chelsea team news and injuries
Christopher Nkunku, recovering from an injury-plagued 2024/25 season, is fit and expected to feature, potentially as a substitute to manage his minutes. No major injuries have been reported, but Maresca may rest Reece James, who has a history of hamstring issues, to ensure fitness for the Premier League opener. New signings Liam Delap and Dario Essugo are set to feature, with Delap vying for a starting role alongside Nicolas Jackson. Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Moises Caicedo form the core, while academy prospects Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George could see minutes.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Chilwell; Fernández, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
RELATED STORIES
Moises Caicedo: From £115m flop to Chelsea’s midfield maestro
Enzo Maresca: How Italian tactical maestro has reshaped Chelsea
AC Milan team form
The Rossoneri finished eighth in Serie A last season with 63 points, missing Champions League qualification and prompting a managerial change to Massimiliano Allegri in May 2025. Their pre-season has been robust, with a comprehensive Asia-Pacific tour featuring matches against Arsenal (1-0 loss, 6-5 on penalties), Liverpool (4-2 win), and Perth Glory. Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic led Milan’s attack, with Leao scoring in the Liverpool victory. Milan’s pre-season form, highlights their attacking intent, averaging 1.6 goals per match, though defensive frailties persist. This match against Chelsea, following a friendly against Leeds United on August 9, is Milan’s final test before their Serie A campaign.
AC Milan tactics
Allegri’s 4-3-3 emphasizes attacking width and technical prowess, with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic exploiting one-on-one situations. Luka Modric, a big signing, anchors the midfield, providing vision and control. Up top, Samuel Chukwueze will lead the line, supported by Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s box-to-box energy. Milan’s high-pressing style, seen in their 4-2 win over Liverpool, aims to force turnovers, but their defense, led by Fikayo Tomori, has been leaky, conceding 1.2 goals per game last season. Expect Milan to target Chelsea’s full-backs, particularly Reece James, with Leao’s pace, while relying on Maignan’s shot-stopping in goal.
AC Milan team news and injuries
No major injuries have been reported, with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic fully fit after starring against Liverpool. Former Chelsea players Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Christian Pulisic will return to Stamford Bridge, adding emotional stakes. Luka Modric will bolster the midfield, while Pervis Estupinan, signed from Brighton, strengthens the left-back position. Noah Okafor and Samuel Chukwueze provide attacking depth.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Gabbia, Estupinan; Modric, Richardson, Loftus-Cheek; Pulisic, Abraham, Leao.
RELATED STORIES
Alejandro Garnacho: Why Argentine forward should reject move to Chelsea
Liam Delap or Nicolas Jackson: Who should lead Chelsea’s attack?
Chelsea vs AC Milan head-to-head statistics
Chelsea and AC Milan have met 17 times since 1965 across all competitions, with Chelsea holding a strong record: Chelsea with 10 Wins (21 goals, 1.24 per game) and AC Milan with four wins (10 goals, 0.59 per game), while this encounter has seen three draws. In the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League, Chelsea won both group-stage matches (3-0 at home, 2-0 away). Their last friendly, in 2016 in the USA, saw Chelsea win 3-1. Milan’s last victory over Chelsea was a 1-0 friendly in 2008. The teams have met seven times in friendlies since 1997, with Chelsea winning five. Chelsea’s recent dominance (5 wins in last 5 competitive matches) contrasts with Milan’s stronger friendly record (60% total goals over in last 5 matches). Both teams score in 66.7% of their head-to-heads, suggesting a high-scoring affair.
Chelsea vs AC Milan score prediction
Chelsea’s attacking talent, led by Palmer and Jackson, and their home advantage give them a slight edge, but Milan’s pre-season form (4-2 win over Liverpool) and attacking trio of Leão, Pulisic, and Abraham pose a significant threat. Chelsea’s defensive inconsistencies (conceding in their last two pre-season games) and Milan’s high total goals over rate (60%) suggest both teams will score. Milan’s fatigue from their August 9 match against Leeds could limit their intensity, but Allegri’s experience ensures competitiveness. A draw aligns with betting predictions and recent head-to-head trends.
