​There is already a strong appetite for football on television, and excitement around AC Milan is growing. Today marks the first outdoor training session at Milanello, but Rossoneri fans have already penciled in the dates and times of the summer friendlies in their calendars. When will they play, what time, and which channel will carry them? That anticipation is natural, even though history shows that pre-season results rarely mirror a team’s true quality or reliably forecast the coming season. From a statistical perspective, the pre-season is primarily about building fitness, earning match minutes, testing players’ physical condition, and helping new signings settle in. With demanding training sessions taking their toll, teams often hit the pitch with tired legs, and the tempo tends to dip below that of official competitive matches.
Many star players also rejoin the squad shortly before the season kicks off, due in part to international commitments, including this year’s World Cup. During the 2024 pre-season, Milan undertook a successful American tour, chalking up notable wins against Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona. Yet, the subsequent official season was characterized by inconsistency in performances. Some of the club’s most iconic eras, including periods under managers Fabio Capello and Carlo Ancelotti, experienced disappointing pre-seasons with heavy defeats and slow starts, only to find form once Serie A and European competition began. The contrast between summer triumphs and summer setbacks remains a striking feature of football’s rhythms.
To illustrate the unpredictable nature of pre-season, consider two memorable examples. In August 1993, Barcelona defeated AC Milan 3-0 in Oviedo, a result that would be followed by renewed confidence as the Rossoneri went on to win the European Cup Final in Athens on 18 May 1994. Conversely, August 1997 offered a cautionary tale: after a 3-1 victory over Juventus in the Luigi Berlusconi Trophy, Milan’s league campaign that followed proved disappointing. These episodes underscore the fickle, unpredictable character of summer form.
Shifting gears to the modern era, fans can explore the club’s online Store for match kits, clothing, accessories, gift ideas, and much more. The online store remains a hub for supporters seeking season-ready apparel and official merchandise to show their allegiance as the club navigates the nuances of pre-season development, squad integration, and the quest for consistency once competitive matches resume.