AC Milan: The Modric Effect and the Dawn of the Milan-Allegri Era

19/08/2025 07:38:00 ScoreStream

A total of 71,061 fans filled the San Siro stands as Milan beat Bari 2-0 in the Coppa Italia round of 1/32, a match regarded as a "punishment" after the Rossoneri’s dreadful season. That impressive attendance says a lot.

This not only proves the unconditional love of Milanistas, regardless of last season’s huge disappointment, but also highlights the appeal of a legend named Luka Modric. Quite a few came just to witness Modric’s first appearance on the San Siro turf in red and black.

What Milan expects from Modric

The fact that such a minor match was still sold out confirms the absolute backing from fans for a rebuilding Milan. They came not just to see a lineup with seven new signings and a new head coach (even though Max Allegri had to sit in the stands due to a touchline ban), but to witness Luka Modric in action. Even at 39 and seen as a short-term addition, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner is still an idol and a symbol of the class and greatness the Rossoneri long to see at San Siro.

And Modric did not let them down. In his first 28 minutes on the pitch, he showed all his trademark qualities. Even though the opponent was only Serie B’s Bari and Milan were already 2-0 up before he came on, every touch from "Lukita" radiated elegance, intelligence, and class. The highlight was a double feint in a tight space, drawing applause from the stands.

However, Modric’s most valuable moment on debut came after the final whistle. While his teammates had already left the pitch, he stayed behind to personally give Noah Okafor some practical advice. This is exactly what Milan needs most from a master like him: not just exceptional skills, but also leadership, the ability to share experience, and to help younger players grow through his veteran presence. Milan’s most successful periods in recent decades have always been linked to such senior figures, from Franco Baresi to Paolo Maldini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic—and now, Modric is expected to follow in their footsteps. Although these are only his first days in a Milan shirt, the sense of connection already seems longstanding.

From the very first day, Modric became a San Siro icon.

3-5-2: Allegri’s new foundation

Coach Allegri’s use of the 3-5-2 formation in the season’s first official match—his own return to the club after 11 years—showed a clear vision for a revolutionary rebuild. The impact was immediate, with both of Milan’s goals coming from their leading attackers, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic. Pulisic’s goal followed an assist from Santiago Gimenez, who had come on for the injured Leao, highlighting how good connections between the forwards are the key to breaking down opponents in this new system.

The goals may have come from established players, but the contributions of the new signings were also noteworthy. In midfield, Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari each had strong performances in their roles. They covered every inch, controlled the tempo, moved the ball with ease, and put significant pressure on the opposition. Meanwhile, Modric, playing as a deep-lying "regista," had a promising debut, suggesting he could become the new brain of the Rossoneri. Sofascore gave Modric a 7.4/10 rating—impressive for less than 30 minutes on the field for the Croatian star.

More matches will be required to see if 3-5-2 is truly the best setup for Milan. The most urgent need now is to add a quality striker, which is even more important after Leao’s latest calf injury. Milan are still waiting for a response from Rasmus Hojlund, who was left out of Ruben Amorim’s squad for Arsenal’s Premier League opener. The Danish forward reportedly wants to join Milan, but only if the club commits to a permanent deal, as he does not want to face more uncertainty in the summer of 2026. Additionally, Allegri needs to better define the role of Santiago Gimenez, the striker worth over 30 million euros, who has yet to make a major impact since joining earlier this year.

Leao injured right after scoring

In the 14th minute against Bari, Rafael Leao opened Milan’s new season with a powerful leap and header—a rare sight for him—after a fine cross from Fikayo Tomori. But almost immediately after, he left the pitch with a calf injury. Leao is always like this, with excitement and disappointment oddly going hand in hand.

No one knows how many times Leao has left the pitch without being fouled or tackled. Each time, it means missing at least a few games, and then needing more to regain his form. Although early signs suggest Leao asked to come off to avoid making things worse, the fact that this happened just over 10 minutes into the official season hardly reassures Milan fans. It’s uncertain whether Leao will recover in time for the Serie A opener against Cremonese at San Siro this weekend.

Vinh Nguyen

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