Serie A Comes To Perth: AC Milan vs Inter To Kick Off “Calcio Italiano” Festival

Ruben Amorim

After AFC cancellation, Serie A eyes perth return with Milan derby and Juventus fuxtures.

Amorim and Chivu back Serie A match in Australia as Milan derby hits perth...

New AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim promised on Tuesday to uphold the legacy of club icon Franco Baresi, who passed away last week, as he works to turn around the struggling Italian powerhouse.

Amorim, the Portuguese coach, is back on the sidelines after Manchester United fired him in January. He’ll face his first big test in a Milan derby against Inter on Wednesday in Perth, Western Australia.

His first game in charge ended in a 2-2 preseason draw with Celtic in Glasgow last month.

Stamattina #Gabbia e #Amorim hanno reso omaggio a #FrancoBaresi, deponendo una corona di fiori ai piedi del murale dedicato al grande capitano a Perth.

L'opera era stata realizzata nel 2024 in occasione dell'amichevole tra Milan e Roma ed era stata inaugurata proprio da Baresi. pic.twitter.com/Ipb1dKZW5r

— Antonio Vitiello (@AntoVitiello) August 2, 2026

At 41, Amorim’s main goal right away is getting Milan back into the Serie A top four after the club missed out on Champions League football on the final day last season.

Amorim spoke to reporters in Perth and said, “I feel that the group is really together.”

He added that the key now is keeping that same mentality, “The important thing is to continue with this spirit when things become difficult.”

He also stressed the pressure that comes with managing Milan, “In this club you need to win every game, so we need to keep that spirit all season.”

Milan got some good news this offseason too, with midfield veteran Luka Modrić signing a one-year contract extension.

Amorim confirmed Modrić will feature against Inter. The midfielder had just played at his fifth World Cup, where Croatia were eliminated in the Round of 32 by Portugal.

Amorim also spoke about bringing the former Tottenham and Real Madrid star back for another year.

“We did a lot to get him back at least for one more year,” he said of Modric, who turns 41 in September.  

“I'm really pleased with him and he is ready to play some minutes tomorrow.”

MILAN IN AUSTRALIA@ACMilan Manager, Ruben Amorim, has just moments ago spoken at a press conference in Perth about the feeling of the Milan travelling group in relation to the passing of club legend and Honorary Vice-President, Franco Baresi.

"Michele, our Chef, is always… pic.twitter.com/skOOd0Wa61 

— Serie A Chronicles: Italian Football Podcast (@serieAchronpod) August 4, 2026

 

Wednesday’s derby will also be Milan’s first game since the passing of Franco Baresi. The club legend captained them through their golden era in the 1980s and 1990s, so it’s set to be an emotional night.

“When you talk with all the staff about Franco, you see the tears in their eyes,” Amorim said.

“Franco was all about the team. The team is the most important thing in our club.

“I will not promise results, but I can promise that I will continue the legacy of Franco.”

AC Milan will wrap up their preseason in Jakarta, facing Chelsea on Saturday. Meanwhile, Inter Milan - who knocked off Manchester City on penalties in Hong Kong last Saturday  are staying in Perth to take on Juventus that same day.

Juventus will close out the Perth slate of all-Italian friendlies when they meet Serie B side Palermo on August 11.

The series is part of a week-long event called “Calcio Italiano.” It comes after plans for a Serie A fixture between AC Milan and Como in Perth were scrapped earlier this year due to AFC sanctions.

Inter boss Cristian Chivu said he’s in favor of bringing a real Serie A game to Perth.

“What I suggest is playing it at the start of the season,” Chivu said.

“We should start promoting Italian football more, especially in this part of the world.”