Official Coppa Italia 2025-26 bracket: AC Milan begin against Bari in August

Milan will open their Coppa Italia 2025-26 campaign against Bari on August 17, as the tournament bracket is drawn up.

The competition is put together like a tennis bracket, so we already know roughly which path the teams could take if they progress.

Every stage is a one-off match to be decided on the night, with only the semi-finals played over home and away legs.

Once again, to avoid excessive strain on the players, they go directly to a penalty shoot-out if the score is level after 90 minutes, without going through extra time.

Bad season means Milan start early

As Milan finished eighth in the Serie A table, they are not one of the top seeds and must begin their Coppa Italia campaign against Serie B side Bari at San Siro on August 17.

New coach Max Allegri will not be on the bench for that game, because he must sit out a two-match Coppa Italia ban from his last experience at Juventus.

A victory would see them go on to play either Lecce or Juve Stabia, while further ahead down their side of the bracket are Lazio in the Round of 16, Bologna in the quarter-finals, then Juventus or Atalanta in the semi-final.

Bologna are the reigning Coppa Italia holders and therefore begin their defence in the Round of 16 against an opponent from Parma, Spezia, Salernitana or Sampdoria.

Inter are on the other side of the bracket, starting from the Round of 16 along with Roma, Fiorentina and Napoli.

Coppa Italia 2025-26 bracket