AC Milan vs AS Roma Lineups: Official 2025/26 Serie A

When Roma and AC Milan lock horns at the Stadio Olimpico, Serie A fans know they’re watching two clubs with everything on the line. The January 25, 2026 encounter between these historic rivals confirmed both sides fielded their strongest available XI in a match carrying serious implications for the Champions League race, with Milan arriving unbeaten in 20 consecutive league fixtures. Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma operated in a 3-4-2-1 formation, while Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan countered in a 3-5-2 setup.

Latest Match Date: 25 Jan 2026 · Roma Formation: 3-4-2-1 · Roma Goalkeeper: Svilar · Previous Match Date: 2 Nov 2025 · Competition: Serie A Enilive 2025/2026

How to watch Roma vs AC Milan?

Serie A fixtures between Roma and AC Milan attract significant broadcast attention across European and international markets. The 20:45 CET kick-off time at Stadio Olimpico typically accommodates evening viewing windows for major markets.

Live stream options

Several platforms offer Serie A coverage depending on regional availability. DAZN holds rights in the United Kingdom for Serie A Enilive matches, making it a primary streaming option for English-speaking audiences. Italian domestic audiences typically access matches through DAZN Italy and Sky Sport channels.

Broadcast channels

Sky Sports provides comprehensive Serie A coverage in the United Kingdom, including match previews, team news, and live commentary for fixtures featuring clubs like Roma and AC Milan. The match commentary team includes former players who provide tactical analysis throughout broadcasts.

Who is 11 in AC Milan?

The number 11 position in AC Milan’s 2025-26 squad varies depending on formation and opposition, but Rafael Leão consistently features in wide attacking roles that deliver similar output regardless of jersey number assignment.

Key squad players

Milan’s attacking department features several high-profile names. Luka Modrić joined the squad providing elite experience in the midfield pivot position, immediately becoming a key figure in possession-based attacks (Sky Sports football coverage). The forward partnership of Christopher Nkunku and Rafael Leão operated as the primary goal threat in the 3-5-2 formation used against Roma.

Number 11 position

While no single player wore the number 11 jersey as a designated starter, the tactical responsibility for left-wing play fell primarily to Rafael Leão, whose explosive pace and ability to beat defenders one-on-one make him Milan’s most dangerous wide attacker regardless of his listed squad number.

Roma vs AC Milan official lineups

Both clubs published their official starting XI approximately 75 minutes before kick-off on January 25, 2026, with Gian Piero Gasperini and Massimiliano Allegri both opting for three-at-the-back systems that reflected their respective tactical philosophies.

25 Jan 2026 lineups

Roma’s official lineup featured Mile Svilar in goal behind a three-man defensive line of Mancini (number 23), Ndicka, and Ghilardi, with Çelik and Wesley operating as wingbacks in Gasperini’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system. The midfield diamond comprised Koné, Cristante, with Dybala and Soulé operating just behind striker Malen (AC Milan Official).

AC Milan countered with Mike Maignan anchoring a three-man defense of Tomori, Gabbia, and De Winter. The five-man midfield featured Saelemaekers and Bartesaghi as wing-backs, with Ricci, Modrić, and Rabiot controlling the center. Nkunku and Leão led the attack in Allegri’s 3-5-2 formation (AC Milan Official).

Subs benches

Roma’s substitutes included Pellegrini, who made a significant impact after entering the match, scoring a penalty at the 69th minute mark according to Sky Sports records (Sky Sports team reports). Milan brought on Füllkrug, Pulisic, and Pavlović from the bench, demonstrating squad depth that allowed Allegri tactical flexibility throughout the match.

AC Milan vs Roma lineups and predictions

Pre-match predictions from multiple outlets varied in their accuracy, with some sources correctly forecasting the formations while others misidentified key personnel—demonstrating the inherent uncertainty in lineup prediction even for well-resourced football journalists.

2 Nov 2025 lineups

The reverse fixture on November 2, 2025 saw Roma operate in a 3-5-2 formation with Hermoso, Mancini, and Ndicka forming the back three, while Milan countered with De Winter, Gabbia, and Pavlović in defense (AC Milan Official). The key difference between fixtures involved Ghilardi replacing Hermoso in Roma’s starting lineup and Pavlović dropping to the bench for the January 2026 meeting.

Prediction insights

Sports Mole predicted Roma in a 3-4-2-1 with the same XI that ultimately started, demonstrating strong pre-match intelligence for Gasperini’s tactical setup. WhoScored, however, predicted a 3-5-2 for Roma that differed from the official formation (WhoScored match preview). Milan predictions proved largely accurate for defense and midfield, though Pulisic was expected in the forward line where Nkunku started instead.

The implication: Formation predictions outperformed personnel predictions, with the gap between expected and official lineups capable of shifting match dynamics significantly.

AC Milan vs AS Roma results and stats

The January 25, 2026 fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, with both clubs earning a point that kept their Champions League qualification ambitions alive while neither managed to pull clear of the other in the standings.

Match results

The match concluded 1-1 according to multiple independent sources including Total Football Analysis and Football Critic (Football Critic match data). Pellegrini’s penalty for Roma canceled out whatever scoring opportunity Milan had created, with Modrić notably providing an assist before receiving a yellow card during the match (Sky Sports match report).

Player stats

Total Football Analysis provided detailed tactical breakdowns confirming Roma’s shift to a 4-4-2 shape during attacking phases while maintaining the 3-4-2-1 defensive structure (Total Football Analysis tactics breakdown). Milan’s 20-game unbeaten league run remained intact following the draw—a run that SempreMilan documented as a significant achievement entering this high-profile fixture.

What this means: A single point leaves Roma needing results elsewhere to close the gap on Champions League places, while Milan preserved their unbeaten streak but failed to gain ground on direct rivals.