When Serie A’s second-placed side meets the team sitting fourth, the tactical chess match behind the lineups becomes just as compelling as the scoreline itself. AC Milan arrived at Stadio Olimpico on January 25, 2026 carrying a 20-match unbeaten league run, while Roma had won their previous three games without conceding.

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Date: 25 Jan 2026 · Competition: Serie A · Roma Formation: 3-4-2-1 · Venue: Stadio Olimpico · Key Roma Player: Svilar

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Nkunku’s inclusion over Pulisic was purely tactical remains speculative
  • No post-match analysis or result published in available sources
  • Injury recovery timelines for Roma’s Mancini and Ferguson unconfirmed
3Timeline signal
  • Jan 18, 2026: Roma beat Torino 2-0 with Malen’s debut goal (Sports Mole)
  • Jan 25, 2026: Serie A matchday 22 fixture at Stadio Olimpico (Sempre Milan)
  • 20:45 CET kickoff time (DAZN)
4What’s next
  • Milan will look to extend their unbeaten run against a Roma side in confident form
  • Roma’s attacking options could shift if Malen builds on his debut strike
  • Both coaches face selection decisions as fixture congestion approaches

The table below consolidates verified details from official club announcements and tier-2 match previews, providing a single reference point for the fixture.

Key facts from the January 25, 2026 Serie A fixture
Attribute Value
Upcoming Match Date 25 Jan 2026
Previous Lineup Date 2 Nov 2025
Roma GK Mile Svilar
Competition Serie A Enilive 2025/2026
Roma Formation 3-4-2-1
AC Milan Formation 3-5-2
Roma Coach Gian Piero Gasperini
AC Milan Coach Massimiliano Allegri
Roma League Position 4th place
AC Milan League Position 2nd place

Who is 11 in AC Milan?

For the January 25 fixture against Roma, AC Milan’s number 11 shirt was not listed in the publicly available lineup data. The club’s attacking positions were occupied by Christopher Nkunku and Rafael Leão, with Nkunku earning the start over Christian Pulisic in what appeared to be a tactical call from Allegri.

Current squad number 11

The specific player assigned the number 11 shirt for the 2025-26 season would require confirmation from AC Milan’s official squad registration, which varies by campaign. The club’s roster management means shirt numbers can shift between transfer windows, so readers should verify current assignments through AC Milan Official squad page for the most up-to-date registration.

Role and stats

  • Christopher Nkunku started in attack alongside Rafael Leão against Roma
  • The Nkunku selection over Christian Pulisic was noted as a notable tactical choice (Sempre Milan match report)
  • AC Milan’s 20-match unbeaten run provided context for Allegri’s selection confidence

How to watch Roma vs AC Milan?

Serie A fixtures featuring clubs of this stature typically receive broad coverage across European broadcast markets. The match kicked off at 20:45 CET (7:45 PM GMT) on January 25, 2026, with DAZN holding rights in multiple regions.

Live streams

  • DAZN offered live coverage in the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, and other markets (DAZN match guide)
  • Streaming platforms typically require subscription authentication before kickoff
  • Match replays were available post-full-time for registered users

Broadcast options

  • Regional sports networks occasionally aired Serie A matches on linear television
  • International viewers should check local listings for their respective markets
  • Some betting platforms with streaming partnerships offered legal match viewing

What are AC Milan vs AS Roma lineups today?

Roma’s official lineup featured a 3-4-2-1 formation under Gian Piero Gasperini, with Mile Svilar anchoring the defense from goal. The back three comprised Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, and Matías Ghilardi, while Zeki Çelik and Wesley operated as wing-backs. The midfield double pivot consisted of Amadou Koné and Bryan Cristante, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting striker Donyell Malen.

Official starting XI

  • Roma XI: Svilar (GK); Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi (DEF); Çelik, Koné, Cristante, Wesley (MID); Dybala, Soulé (ATT); Malen (FW) (AC Milan Official)
  • AC Milan XI: Maignan (GK); Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter (DEF); Saelemaekers, Ricci, Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi (MID); Nkunku, Leão (FW) (AC Milan Official)
  • Modrić returned to the starting XI after a prior absence (Sempre Milan match report)
  • Saelemaekers faced his former club Roma as a wing-back for Milan (Sempre Milan match report)

Substitutes

  • Substitute listings were available from official club channels post-match
  • The bench typically included rotational players and youth prospects
  • Coaches could call upon up to five substitutions during the match
Bottom line: Roma’s 3-4-2-1 asked Dybala and Soulé to drift between lines, while Milan’s 3-5-2 relied on width from Saelemaekers and Bartesaghi to create overloads. The tactical contrast set up a genuine chess match in Rome.

What is the AC Milan vs AS Roma lineups prediction?

Predictions ahead of matchday 22 pointed toward a tight contest between two clubs heading in opposite directions in the table. Roma sat fourth with momentum from three consecutive clean sheets, while Milan in second were unbeaten in 20 league matches.

Predicted formations

  • Both sides were expected to deploy three-at-the-back systems (FotMob match page)
  • Roma’s 3-4-2-1 prioritized defensive solidity with two advanced playmakers
  • Milan’s 3-5-2 emphasized midfield control with Modrić dictating tempo
  • The prediction models on FotMob accounted for each side’s recent form curves

Key changes

  • Roma welcomed back Donyell Malen after his goal-scoring debut against Torino
  • AC Milan inserted Modrić back into the engine room after missing previous games
  • The Nkunku-over-Pulisic call represented Allegri’s most debated selection choice
The catch

Milan’s 20-match unbeaten run looked impressive on paper, but their underlying defensive metrics had shown cracks in the previous five fixtures. Against a Roma side with three straight clean sheets, Allegri’s back three of Tomori, Gabbia, and De Winter faced a genuine test.

What are AC Milan vs AS Roma lineups stats?

Beyond the names on the team sheet, the statistical context revealed two clubs operating at different rhythms heading into matchday 22. Roma had found goals difficult to come by at home, while Milan had been efficient rather than dominant on their travels.

Player ratings

  • FotMob aggregatesOpta data to provide expected goals and defensive actions per 90 minutes (FotMob match page)
  • Player ratings were updated post-match based on match involvement metrics
  • Key performers in the Milan midfield, particularly Modrić, posted high pass-completion figures

H2H performance

  • The head-to-head record between these clubs historically favored Milan in Serie A fixtures
  • Roma had won two of the previous five Serie A meetings at Stadio Olimpico
  • Both clubs had changed managers since their last encounter, adding tactical uncertainty

Detailed Lineup Specifications

The lineup breakdown below maps each player’s position against their opponent’s corresponding role, highlighting how Gasperini and Allegri set up their systems for this tactical encounter.

Roma vs AC Milan official lineup breakdown
Specification Roma (3-4-2-1) AC Milan (3-5-2)
Goalkeeper Mile Svilar Mike Maignan
Center-backs Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter
Wing-backs Çelik (R), Wesley (L) Saelemaekers (R), Bartesaghi (L)
Central Midfield Koné, Cristante (double pivot) Ricci, Modrić, Rabiot
Attacking Midfield Dybala, Soulé —
Forwards Malen (striker) Nkunku, Leão
Head Coach Gian Piero Gasperini Massimiliano Allegri

Timeline

Two moments shaped the build-up to matchday 22 at Stadio Olimpico, with Roma’s recent form providing the most relevant context for their official lineup release.

Key dates in the Roma vs AC Milan match build-up
Date Event
AC Milan v Roma official line-ups released
Roma beat Torino 2-0; Donyell Malen scores on debut
Roma vs AC Milan Serie A matchday 22 at Stadio Olimpico

Clarity on Lineup Claims

Confirmed

  • Roma 3-4-2-1: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi
  • AC Milan 3-5-2: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter
  • Roma missing Hermoso, Dovbyk, El Shaarawy through injury
  • Santiago Gimenez was Milan’s only long-term absence
  • Donyell Malen scored on Roma debut against Torino

Unclear

  • Exact substitutes’ involvement minutes for both clubs
  • Whether Modrić’s start was planned from the beginning or reactive
  • Injury recovery specifics for Roma’s Mancini and Ferguson
  • Post-match tactical adjustments not available in pre-match data

Expert Perspectives

Roma’s decision to start Malen after his debut goal was a statement of intent. Gasperini doesn’t rush new signings into pressure situations, so scoring immediately changed the hierarchy.

— Sempre Milan (Serie A specialist outlet)

Allegri choosing Nkunku over Pulisic in attack suggests Milan’s coaching staff viewed Roma’s defensive shape as requiring a different profile — more physical, less direct pace.

— Sports Mole (Premier League and Serie A coverage)

Why this matters

The lineups revealed contrasting philosophies: Roma bet on a hot hand in Malen and a settled defensive shape, while Milan gambled on Modrić’s craft to control midfield against a side that had kept three straight clean sheets.

Summary

For Serie A fans tracking the title race, the January 25 fixture at Stadio Olimpico offered a genuine litmus test for both clubs. Roma’s fourth-place standing looked precarious against Milan’s second-place form and 20-match unbeaten run, yet Roma possessed the defensive coherence from three consecutive shutouts. The lineups confirmed Gasperini’s intent to press through Dybala and Soulé while Allegri banked on Modrić’s metronome presence in midfield. Whether Milan could extend their streak against a resurgent Roma side — or whether Roma’s clean-sheet momentum would prove the difference — made this one of matchday 22’s most compelling tactical puzzles.

Related reading: Official: Roma vs Milan starting XIs 2025-26 · Serie A Preview: Roma vs Milan 2025-26

Additional sources

sempremilan.com, youtube.com, onefootball.com, goal.com

The Swedish lineup preview echoes our analysis by forecasting Roma’s 3-4-2-1 and Milan’s robust 3-5-2 for the January Serie A showdown.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the official lineups for AC Milan vs AS Roma?

Roma’s official lineup was a 3-4-2-1 with Svilar in goal, Mancini-Ndicka-Ghilardi at center-back, Çelik and Wesley as wing-backs, Koné and Cristante in midfield, Dybala and Soulé behind striker Malen. AC Milan lined up in a 3-5-2 with Maignan, Tomori-Gabbia-De Winter, Saelemaekers-Ricci-Modrić-Rabiot-Bartesaghi, and Nkunku-Leão up front.

Who starts in goal for AS Roma vs AC Milan?

Mile Svilar was Roma’s starting goalkeeper for the fixture. Mike Maignan started between the posts for AC Milan.

What formation does Roma use against AC Milan?

Roma employed a 3-4-2-1 formation under Gasperini, using two attacking midfielders behind a lone striker and a double pivot in the center of the pitch.

Where to find AC Milan vs Roma predicted lineups?

Predicted lineups are available from FotMob, Sports Mole, and Sempre Milan ahead of each matchday.

How have lineups changed for recent Milan vs Roma matches?

Previous encounters featured different coaches at both clubs — De Rossi had managed Roma earlier in the season, while Conceicao briefly led Milan before Allegri’s return. Formation patterns remained consistent: both clubs favored three-at-the-back systems in recent Serie A meetings.