Milan welcome Cagliari to the San Siro for the final round of the Serie A season, kicking off at 20:45 CET on Saturday. The match, broadcast exclusively on DAZN, carries historical weight given the remarkable head-to-head record between these two sides.
The Rossoneri have been the dominant force in this fixture for decades. Milan are unbeaten in 41 of their last 42 Serie A meetings with Cagliari, amassing 31 wins and 10 draws while scoring 83 goals. The only blemish during this period came on May 28, 2017, when Cagliari secured a 2–1 victory at the Stadio Sant'Elia. At home, Milan's supremacy is even more pronounced: they have won 18 of the last 21 encounters at the Meazza, with Cagliari's last away success dating back to June 1, 1997, when Roberto Muzzi netted the winner in a 1–0 triumph.
Under Max Allegri, Milan are showing signs of ending the season on a high. A win over Genoa last time out means they could record consecutive victories for the first time since early March, when they beat Cremonese and Inter back-to-back. Furthermore, a tally of at least two goals in this match would mark only the second occasion this season that they have achieved that feat in three successive league games—the previous instance occurring in December against Torino, Sassuolo, and Verona.
According to the probable lineups released by Tuttosport, Allegri is expected to field a 3-5-2 formation. Mike Maignan starts in goal, shielded by a back three of Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, and Strahinja Pavlovic. The wing-back roles are assigned to Alexis Saelemaekers and Davide Bartesaghi, who will provide width and defensive cover. In midfield, Youssouf Fofana anchors alongside Ardon Jashari and Adrien Rabiot, offering a blend of physicality and creativity. The attacking duo consists of Christopher Nkunku and Santiago Gimenez, both tasked with breaching Cagliari's defense. Notable options on the bench include Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, Luka Modric, and Niclas Fullkrug, suggesting Allegri has depth to call upon if needed.
Cagliari, managed by Fabio Pisacane, are set to line up in a 4-4-2 system. Elia Caprile guards the net, with a defensive line of Ze Pedro, Yerry Mina, Alberto Dossena, and Ludwig Obert. The midfield four features Marco Palestra, Gianluca Gaetano, Michel Adopo, and Alessandro Deiola, combining industry and passing ability. Up front, Sebastiano Esposito partners with Antoine Mendy, as the visitors seek to exploit any lapses in Milan's rearguard. The substitutes' bench includes experienced campaigners like Andrea Belotti and Leonardo Sulemana, offering Pisacane tactical alternatives.
The tactical chess match will likely hinge on Milan's ability to unlock a typically resilient Cagliari defense. Nkunku's movement and Gimenez's finishing will test Mina and Dossena, while Rabiot's runs from midfield could create overloads. Cagliari will aim to stay compact and use the pace of Mendy on the counter, hoping to replicate the rare successes of their predecessors.
While the final Serie A standings may already be largely settled, there is always pride at stake on the last day. Milan will want to give their fans a fitting finale, and maintaining their historical dominance over Cagliari would provide a positive footnote to a season of transition. For Cagliari, the challenge is to defy the odds and produce a performance that ends their campaign on a high note.
The officiating team for the encounter is led by referee Marco Guida, with assistants Preti and Bercigli, fourth official Ayroldi, and VAR duties assigned to Abisso and Chiffi. Coverage begins at 20:45 CET exclusively on DAZN, ensuring fans can follow every moment of the season's curtain call.
As Milan look to extend their remarkable record against Cagliari, the San Siro faithful will hope for a display that encapsulates their team's recent improvement. With Allegri blending youth and experience, the probable lineups hint at a side that is already building for the future. This final-day encounter serves as both a celebration of an enduring rivalry and a glimpse into what lies ahead.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
