Milan begin their summer with a friendly away at Celtic this afternoon, and Andrej Kostic looks set to lead the line in Glasgow.
This is the first look at Massimiliano Allegri's replacement in the dugout, Sergio Conceição having made way for Igor Tudor... except it's a squad without most of its recognisable faces. A batch of regular starters are still on post-World Cup break, which is exactly why the fringe names are worth watching today. Pre-season friendlies against sharper opposition are where the borderline squad players either make a case to stay or quietly slide toward the exit. For a young forward like Kostic, this is the audition.
The squad flew out of Malpensa on Friday afternoon, with three notable absentees, according to MilanNews: Christopher Nkunku, Pervis Estupiñán and Pietro Terracciano stayed behind.
Kostic is the favourite to start up top, fresh off a goal against Milan Futuro in last weekend's in-house friendly. The former Partizan youngster is fighting for a role as back-up to Gonçalo Ramos, and today is the first of several chances to show he belongs at this level rather than out on loan. Francesco Camarda, who just signed a new deal through 2031, should also get a long run-out. Worth noting: Kostic played off the striker last Sunday rather than as the focal point, so a version where he and Camarda share the pitch isn't off the table.
Celtic will not make this easy, as La Gazzetta dello Sport point out. The Scottish champions have three friendlies in their legs already, kick off their league campaign in just over a week, and have a Champions League play-off to prepare for in the second half of August. They won the title in dramatic fashion, needing a late winner against Hearts on the final day to overtake them at the top. Milan, by contrast, are only just switching the season on.
On the team itself, Gazzetta expect this to be the debut of both Mario Gila and Tudor's 3-4-2-1. Lorenzo Torriani should start in goal behind a back three of Gila, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlović. Samuel Chukwueze is tipped at right wing-back, with Youssouf Fofana, Samuele Ricci and Davide Bartesaghi completing the midfield band. Rúben Loftus-Cheek and Lorenzo Ossola are set to play behind the striker, Ossola one of the academy names to keep half an eye on. Alphadjo Cissé has also travelled and could feature, back in full training after a long lay-off.
Results don't matter today. Minutes do, and so does who takes the chance in front of a new coach still deciding who he can trust.