Leeds United Host AC Milan in Packed Dublin Friendly

Leeds United and AC Milan met in a high-profile pre-season friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, marking Leeds' final game before the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season. Leeds, freshly promoted after winning the Championship, are preparing for their opener against Everton and are actively seeking to strengthen their attack before the transfer deadline, with departures of forwards Mateo Joseph and Joe Gelhardt creating a need for reinforcements. AC Milan, aiming to return to Serie A's top four after a disappointing previous season, planned a busy weekend with subsequent matches against Chelsea and domestic fixtures. The match drew a near-capacity crowd, with a significant presence of Leeds fans in the city despite travel disruptions, showcasing strong support through vintage and current team colors. Injury doubts and suspensions, including those affecting key players like Jaka Bijol and Lucas Perri, added uncertainty to Leeds' lineup. Both teams viewed the friendly as a critical test in their pre-season preparations ahead of their respective competitive campaigns.