Are Milan the real deal in the Serie A title race?

The Serie A season may only be eight rounds old, but already it's clear we're in for another close title race this year. 

Only six points currently separate the top six, with reigning champions Napoli top of the pile on goal difference, ahead of Roma, whose start may have surprised a few this campaign. 

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A point further back, however, are AC Milan. The Italian giants are always a big topic of conversation in Serie A, but following last year's disappointments, their start to 2025-26 has fans cautiously optimistic about what's to come. 

So, the question is, are the Rossoneri for real?  

Having finished eighth in 2024-25 and failed to qualify for Europe, Milan went back to the future ahead of this season by appointing Massimiliano Allegri for a second time in a bid to get the club back on track. 

Allegri led the club to Serie A glory in 2011 and has been charged with the task of at least getting Milan back into the Champions League and challenging the likes of champions Napoli and rivals Inter. 

It didn't start well, as Cremonese shocked the seven-time European champions by defeating them at the San Siro on the opening day, but since that shock result, the Rossoneri have remained unbeaten. 

In that time, they've taken a point off Juventus and beaten reigning champions Napoli, despite missing several key players through injury, and it has given fans a growing belief that this Milan side is ready to compete for honours this year. 

"Well, the start they've had, I think it's a lift for everybody who supports Milan. Last year, to be honest, they weren't good enough for them." Former Milan man Joe Jordan exclusively told DAZN News, courtesy of the online casino affiliate Casino.org. 

"Last year, I went to the San Siro and watched Milan against Napoli. In that particular game, Napoli were the better team and eventually won the game.

"And this year, I watched the game again in the San Siro against Napoli, and obviously, both teams have changed a little bit, but Napoli are the champions, and I thought in this particular game, Milan were the better team." 

The little magician 

One of those changes from last season has been the signing of Luka Modric. 

If ever there was a poster boy for the 'fine wine' cliche, it's the former Ballon d'Or winner, but that would be a disservice to the ridiculously brilliant career he's had at the top of the game. At 40 years old, his arrival in Italy was seen by many to be as a support act for Milan, but he's been far from that and instead, has been the fulcrum that Allgeri has built his side around. 

Alongside fellow new boy - and another shrewd signing - Adrien Rabiot, Modic's influence has grown and grown on the team. Using all his experience and expertise to control the Milan midfield, and even deliver match-winning moments as he did against Bolonga on Matchday Three.

As someone who worked with the Croatian at Tottenham, Jordan isn't surprised at Modric's impact at the San Siro, and believes his presence has been such a benefit to his old side. 

He said, "I think as a midfield player, I don't think he can get anybody better than Luka Modric in what he does. He has gone to AC Milan, and I looked at him, and he's still the Luka Modric, if not better, that I would watch every week, or watch in training every day. He hasn't changed.Getty Images

"For the teammates, when they see him, he's come here, and I know he's in a situation where his career is coming to an end, but they'll see a person, not just physically, but mentally, he's up for it. He wants to play what he wants to win.

"He never leaves a teammate alone. He makes himself available to receive that ball. And that's a strength, it's a mental strength, and it's a help to your team. But Luka Modric is a fantastic player." 

Having a squad to cope 

Modric isn't the only player to have impressed in the opening weeks, either. 

Allegri has shored up the defence and, before the 2-2 draw with Pisa last week, had only conceded four goals in the first seven matches, giving them one of the stingiest backlines in the league thanks to notable, consistent displays from Strahinja Pavlovic and Matteo Gabbia. 

At the other end, Christian Pulisic started the season on fire before his injury, netting six goals in eight outings across all competitions. And, while his recent absence has been felt, it has given Rafael Leao the chance to step up to the plate, and he's responded with three goals in his first two starts of the season. They can also call on summer arrival Christopher Nkunku, who's impressed in the minutes he's had on the pitch. 

There's no question the squad has been stretched with injuries to their American star, as well as Rabiot, Loftus-Cheek and Pervis Estupinan, but they are managing to cope. Just look at Zachary Athekame coming off the bench to net a vital equaliser against Pisa, to show there is depth when needed. 

Milan's year?

Of course, it's still early days and in a title race as close as it's expected to be in Serie A, there will be plenty of twists and turns, but there the feel-good factor is certainly being felt again by Milan. 

Allegri has brought a sense of calm to a club who are always under the microscope and that suffered a chaotic year under Paulo Fonseca and then Sergio Conceicao last year. 

That calmness has been radiated on the field by the arrival of Modric and the form of Milan's key players. 

If they can keep those names fit, and without Europe as a distraction, then a 20th league title - one clear of their city rivals - could well be within their sights in 2026. 

How to watch Serie A on DAZN

Witness how the 2025/26 Serie A unfolds with all 380 games live on DAZN in the UK & Ireland, and in the US in Spanish language. For more information and to sign up to watch,  click here .

You can watch Serie A via the DAZN App, available on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and web browsers.

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