AC Milan Defeats Bari 2-0 in Coppa Italia Clash Amid Injury Concerns

In a decisive Coppa Italia first-round match held at the iconic San Siro stadium, AC Milan secured a 2-0 victory against Bari on Sunday, August 17, 2025. This win propels Milan into the Round of 32, where they are set to face Lecce in September.

The match saw Milan take an early lead in the 14th minute when Rafael Leão scored a commanding header off a cross from Fikayo Tomori. However, the joy was tempered as Leão suffered a calf injury shortly after and was substituted, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming Serie A game against Cremonese.

Despite Bari’s organized defensive efforts and early attempts on goal, including a wide shot by Gabriele Moncini and a saved effort by Youssouf Fofana, Milan maintained control throughout the game.

Christian Pulisic capitalized on a well-coordinated link-up play with Santiago Giménez to double Milan’s advantage just two minutes into the second half, netting his third goal of the match. Pulisic also had two near misses before the break, including a shot that hit the crossbar.

The match also featured the competitive debuts of Milan’s recent signings, including Luka Modrić and Ardon Jashari, who both came off the bench in the 65th minute and received enthusiastic applause from the over 70,000 spectators in attendance.

With this promising start to the season, AC Milan’s manager Massimiliano Allegri, who watched from the stands due to suspension, will be hopeful that his squad can maintain momentum despite injury setbacks. Milan now turns their focus to the home league fixture against Cremonese, deemed a crucial encounter to sustain their competitive ambitions this season.