AC Milan vs SSC Bari timeline documents every major moment from their Coppa Italia 2025 encounter at San Siro, where AC Milan secured a controlled 2–0 victory to advance in the competition. The match marked Milan’s first competitive outing of the season and provided an early look at tactical shape, squad depth and individual performances.
Played on 17 August 2025 in front of over seventy thousand spectators, the fixture followed a familiar pattern. Milan dominated possession, created the majority of chances and decided the contest through goals in each half.
AC Milan vs SSC Bari Match Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Coppa Italia 2025/26 |
| Date | 17 August 2025 |
| Venue | San Siro, Milan |
| Final Score | AC Milan 2 – 0 SSC Bari |
| Attendance | 71,061 |
| Referee | Alberto Arena |
AC Milan entered the tie as clear favourites, while Bari arrived with the aim of staying compact and exploiting counter attacking opportunities.
AC Milan vs SSC Bari Timeline
First Half Timeline
- 1st minute: Kick off at San Siro with Milan immediately controlling possession.
- 8th minute: Milan create the first chance through Christian Pulisic, forcing Bari’s goalkeeper into a save.
- 14th minute: Goal. AC Milan 1–0 Bari. Rafael Leão heads in from close range after a cross from Fikayo Tomori.
- 18th minute: Leão suffers a muscle issue and is substituted, changing Milan’s attacking structure.
- 25th minute: Bari attempt to respond but struggle to break Milan’s defensive line.
- 34th minute: Ruben Loftus Cheek tests the goalkeeper with a long range effort.
- 45th minute: Half time. AC Milan lead 1–0 after dominating possession and territory.
Second Half Timeline
- 46th minute: Milan restart aggressively, pushing their wing backs higher.
- 48th minute: Goal. AC Milan 2–0 Bari. Christian Pulisic finishes calmly after a quick passing move.
- 58th minute: Bari make attacking substitutions in search of a response.
- 66th minute: Milan introduce fresh midfielders, including debut appearances from new signings.
- 74th minute: Bari record their only shot on target, saved comfortably by Mike Maignan.
- 82nd minute: Milan slow the tempo and manage possession.
- 90th minute: Full time. AC Milan win 2–0 and progress to the next round.
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Goal by Goal Breakdown
Rafael Leão Goal (14th minute)
Milan opened the scoring through Rafael Leão after a well worked move down the right side. Tomori delivered an accurate cross into the box and Leão positioned himself between defenders to head the ball into the net. The goal gave Milan early control of the match.
Christian Pulisic Goal (48th minute)
Pulisic doubled the advantage early in the second half. A quick exchange of passes through midfield created space in the penalty area, allowing Pulisic to finish low into the corner. The timing of the goal removed any momentum Bari hoped to build after the break.
Starting Lineups and Formations
AC Milan Formation: 3 5 2
Maignan
Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic
Saelemaekers, Fofana, Ricci, Loftus Cheek, Estupiñán
Pulisic, Leão
SSC Bari Formation: 4 3 3
Cerofolini
Dickmann, Vicari, Nikolaou, Dorval
Bellomo, Braunöder, Pagano
Pereiro, Moncini, Sibilli
Both teams stayed close to their planned systems, but Milan’s midfield numerical advantage proved decisive.
AC Milan vs SSC Bari Match Stats
| Stat | AC Milan | SSC Bari |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 65 percent | 35 percent |
| Shots | 24 | 6 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 1 |
| Corners | 12 | 1 |
| Passing Accuracy | 92.5 percent | 83.8 percent |
Milan’s control of the ball and chance creation reflected their dominance across ninety minutes.
Tactical Analysis
Milan operated with three central defenders and high wing backs, which allowed them to stretch Bari’s defensive shape. The midfield trio controlled tempo and restricted counter attacks. Bari defended deep with a narrow line but struggled to close down wide areas.
After taking the lead, Milan maintained pressure rather than retreating. The second goal confirmed their superiority and shifted the focus to game management. Bari lacked the technical quality to sustain attacks and rarely threatened Milan’s goal.
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Key Player Performances
Rafael Leão
Scored the opening goal and caused problems with his movement before being forced off injured.
Christian Pulisic
Led the attack after Leão’s exit and scored the decisive second goal.
Mike Maignan
Had a quiet night but made an important save late in the match to preserve the clean sheet.
Bari Goalkeeper
Prevented a heavier defeat with several saves during sustained Milan pressure.
AC Milan vs SSC Bari Head to Head Timeline
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Serie A | Milan 0 – 0 Bari |
| 2010 | Serie A | Bari 0 – 2 Milan |
| 2011 | Coppa Italia | Milan 3 – 0 Bari |
| 2011 | Serie A | Milan 1 – 1 Bari |
| 2025 | Coppa Italia | Milan 2 – 0 Bari |
Milan have remained unbeaten in recent meetings with Bari, continuing that trend in this match.
What This Result Means
The victory sends AC Milan into the next Coppa Italia round and provides early momentum for the season. The match also gave opportunities to rotate the squad and integrate new players.
For Bari, the defeat ends their cup run but offered valuable experience against top level opposition. Their focus now shifts back to league objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the AC Milan vs SSC Bari timeline?
The AC Milan vs SSC Bari timeline records all major match events from the Coppa Italia 2025 fixture, including goals, substitutions and key moments from kick off to full time.
Who scored in AC Milan vs SSC Bari 2025 match?
Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic scored for AC Milan. SSC Bari did not score.
When was AC Milan vs Bari played?
The match was played on 17 August 2025.
Where was the AC Milan vs Bari match played?
The game took place at San Siro in Milan.
Which competition featured AC Milan vs SSC Bari?
The match was part of the Coppa Italia 2025 tournament.
Conclusion
The AC Milan vs SSC Bari timeline highlights a match defined by control, discipline and efficiency. Milan’s early and second half goals ensured a smooth path into the next round of the Coppa Italia. With dominant possession and minimal defensive risk, the match served as an ideal season opener and reinforced Milan’s superiority over lower division opposition.