AC Milan Faces Como as Leao Returns to Starting Lineup

MILAN, Italy — AC Milan will host Como on March 15, 2025, at the San Siro stadium. The match, starting at 17:00 GMT, marks an important crossroads for both teams in their Serie A campaigns.

After suffering three consecutive defeats, AC Milan managed to salvage their season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Lecce last weekend. Rafael Leao, who had a pivotal impact coming off the bench in that match, is returning to the starting lineup alongside Santiago Gimenez and Christian Pulisic.

Coach Sergio Conceição has made several changes to his lineup. January signing Warren Bondo will start in midfield, allowing Tijjani Reijnders to take a more advanced position. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Strahinja Pavlovic have also returned from suspension, although Emerson Royal remains unavailable.

The Curva Sud, home to passionate Milan ultras, will temporarily vacate their section of the stadium for the first 15 minutes in protest, adding an unusual backdrop to the match.

Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, currently sits in 13th place and is looking to escape the relegation zone. While Como recently celebrated back-to-back victories over Fiorentina and Napoli, they have since faced setbacks with a loss to Roma and a disappointing draw with Venezia.

Como’s attack will be spearheaded by Nico Paz, alongside January acquisitions Maxence Caqueret and Assane Diao. They will aim to support returning striker Patrick Cutrone, who is facing his former club for the first time.

Fabregas’s squad also sees the return of Marc Oliver Kempf and Mergim Vojvoda from suspension, as well as Dele Alli and Sergi Roberto, who are fit enough to start on the bench.

Here are the confirmed lineups for the match:

AC Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Gabbia, Thiaw, Theo Hernandez; Bondo, Musah; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Gimenez.

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Goldaniga, Kempf, Valle; Caqueret, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Diao; Cutrone.