Newly promoted Leeds United are set to face Italian powerhouse AC Milan in a high-profile pre-season friendly on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The match, held at Dublin’s iconic Aviva Stadium, serves as the final preparatory test for both clubs as they gear up for their respective domestic league campaigns.
For Leeds United, this fixture is a crucial final step before their much-anticipated return to the Premier League. After securing promotion by winning the EFL Championship last season, manager Daniel Farke’s side has remained unbeaten in their summer schedule, which included draws against Manchester United and Villarreal, and victories over German clubs SC Verl and SC Paderborn. According to reports, Farke has expressed a desire to bolster his attack before the transfer window closes, but the focus in Dublin will be on fine-tuning the current squad for their league opener against Everton.
The English club has named a strong starting lineup for the clash, handing a debut to new goalkeeper Lucas Perri. The confirmed team sees Perri in goal, with a defense of Isaac Schmidt, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, and Gabriel Gudmundsson. The midfield consists of Ao Tanaka, captain Ethan Ampadu, and Anton Stach, while the attack is led by Joël Piroe, flanked by Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto. The team is navigating some minor injury concerns, with Jayden Bogle missing out, and regular goalkeeper Illan Meslier not present for the fixture.
On the other side, AC Milan is looking to build momentum under the guidance of reappointed head coach Massimiliano Allegri. The Rossoneri are aiming for a significant improvement on their disappointing eighth-place finish in Serie A during the 2024-25 season. Their pre-season has been a mixed bag, featuring a narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal, an impressive 4-2 victory over Liverpool, and a commanding 9-0 win against Australian side Perth Glory, as noted by LeedsUnited.com.
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan is expected to give new signing Ardon Jashari his first start. The predicted lineup also suggests the first pre-season appearance for striker Santiago Gimenez. The likely XI features Pietro Terracciano in goal; a back four of Vivaldo Magni, Matteo Gabbia, Jan-Carlo Simic, and Pervis Estupiñán; a midfield of Yunus Musah, Jashari, and Emanuele Sala; and an attacking trio of Samuel Chukwueze, Gimenez, and Noah Okafor, as reported by Sempre Milan.
This match is not the first time these two clubs have met. They share a competitive history, most notably the controversial 1973 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, which Milan won 1-0. They also faced each other in the 2000/01 Champions League, where Leeds secured a famous 1-0 win at Elland Road and a 1-1 draw at the San Siro.
The friendly is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 PM BST (10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT). Fans around the world have multiple options to watch the action. In the United States, the game will be available on Paramount Plus, while DAZN will broadcast the match in Canada and other regions. Viewers in the UK can tune in via Premier Sports or Leeds’ own streaming service, LUTV, as detailed by CNET.
