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COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mate Adrien Rabiot after scoring their team’s first goal1 from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Milan know a win against Cagliari would guarantee Champions League football, but Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are benched in favour of Santiago Gimenez and Christopher Nkunku.
It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
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You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s final Serie A games on the Liveblog.
The Rossoneri put themselves in a position where a victory here would make a top four finish certain, taking advantage of the Juventus slip-up.
Owner Gerry Cardinale is in the stands with CEO Giorgio Furlani, director of sport Igli Tare and special advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though not all will remain after this season.
Coach Max Allegri is far from secure either, and he takes a bold swing tonight by leaving Leao on the bench, even after the Portugal international returned from suspension.
Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupinan are also back after missing the win away to Genoa on bans, while Pulisic is struggling with his fitness.
Luka Modric is again on the bench just a month after surgery on a facial fracture, so if he does make his comeback, would wear a protective mask.
Ardon Jashari gets the nod to replace him rather than Samuele Ricci or Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Gimenez and Nkunku form the front two once more in a gamble from the coach.
Cagliari guaranteed their Serie A safety with last week’s 2-1 win over Torino and there are reports coach Fabio Pisacane is being courted by bigger clubs.
Semih Kilicsoy and Michael Folorunsho have been left behind, with Leonardo Pavoletti and Riyad Idrissi injured.
Several players are brought along from the youth team that just won the Primavera Play-Out against Napoli.
Marco Palestra plays his last game for Cagliari and is widely expected to play at San Siro next season for Inter.
Milan vs. Cagliari line-ups
Milan: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Jashari, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku, Gimenez
Cagliari: Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Ze Roberto, Obert; Juan Rodriguez, Gaetano, Adopo, Deiola; S Esposito; Borrelli
