As the Serie A season reaches its climax, AC Milan welcome Cagliari to the San Siro for the final matchday showdown. The fixture carries historical weight, with the Rossoneri enjoying a staggering dominance over the Sardinians that stretches back decades.
Milan have remained unbeaten in 41 of their last 42 Serie A encounters against Cagliari, claiming 31 victories and 10 draws while netting 83 goals at an average of two per game. The lone blemish came on 28 May 2017, when Cagliari snatched a 2-1 win at the Sant’Elia. At home, the record is even more lopsided: the last time Cagliari triumphed at the Meazza in league play was on 1 June 1997, a 1-0 result sealed by a Muzzi strike.
Heading into this finale, Milan carry momentum from a victory over Genoa and are chasing back-to-back Serie A wins for the first time since early March, when they beat Cremonese and Inter. Additionally, if they score at least twice against Cagliari, it would mark only the second time this season they have managed to net two or more goals in three consecutive league matches, having previously achieved that run in December against Torino, Sassuolo, and Verona.
Massimiliano Allegri has named his starting eleven in an attacking 4-3-3 shape. In goal, Mike Maignan anchors a defense that features Davide Bartesaghi, Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlovic, and Fikayo Tomori. The midfield trio consists of Youssouf Fofana, Ardon Jashari, and Adrien Rabiot, providing a blend of steel and creativity. The front three sees Christopher Nkunku, Santiago Gimenez, and Alexis Saelemaekers tasked with breaking down the Cagliari backline.
Cagliari, under the guidance of coach Fabio Pisacane, set up in a 3-5-2 formation. Elia Caprile starts in goal, shielded by a defensive trio of Ze Pedro, Yerry Mina, and Adam Obert. The five-man midfield features Gabriele Zappa, Gianluca Gaetano, Michel Adopo, Alessandro Deiola, and Alvaro Rodriguez. Up top, the strike partnership of Sebastiano Esposito and Gennaro Borrelli will aim to trouble Milan’s rearguard.
The tactical battle will likely see Milan dominate possession and probe down the flanks through Saelemaekers and Nkunku, while Gimenez, the Mexican forward, provides a focal point in the box. Cagliari, aware of the historical disparity, will likely sit deep and look to spring counterattacks via the pace of Rodriguez and the physicality of Mina on set pieces.
For Allegri, this match offers a chance to end what has been a transitional campaign on a high note. With the summer transfer window looming, a commanding performance could sway decisions on squad reinforcements. Conversely, Cagliari, already safe from relegation, will view this as an opportunity to snap a decades-long winless streak at the Meazza and etch their names into club folklore.
The match kicks off at 20:45 local time and will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN in Italy. Referee Marco Guida will oversee proceedings, assisted by linesmen Preti and Bercigli, with Giovanni Ayroldi as the fourth official. The VAR room will be manned by Rosario Abisso and Antonio Chiffi.
As the Rossoneri faithful gather for one last San Siro outing this season, the script appears written for a celebratory evening. Yet, football’s capacity for surprise—recalled by Cagliari’s 2017 victory—lingers. The question remains whether Milan can translate statistical superiority into a convincing display or if the Sardinians will rewrite the narrative once more.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
