Key Points
- Research suggests AC Milan leads the all-time head-to-head record against SSC Bari with roughly 49 wins to Bari’s 13 across about 74 competitive meetings (including Serie A, Coppa Italia, and earlier leagues), with around 12 draws.
- Milan has remained unbeaten against Bari in every competitive fixture since 2009, including the most recent 2-0 Coppa Italia win on 17 August 2025 at San Siro.
- The rivalry features massive scorelines in Milan’s favor (such as a 9-1 victory in 1949) alongside occasional memorable Bari resistance, especially at home, making it a classic David-vs-Goliath story in Italian football.
- Evidence leans toward high-scoring games in the early decades and more controlled Milan dominance in modern times, useful for fans tracking trends or bettors noting Milan’s strong home record.
Rivalry at a Glance: AC Milan and SSC Bari first crossed paths in 1928, and their encounters have blended Milan’s glamour with Bari’s fighting spirit ever since. Whether at the historic San Siro or the atmospheric Stadio San Nicola (opened in 1990), these matches carry nostalgia for Rossoneri supporters who remember legends like Marco van Basten and for Galletti fans who cherish every hard-earned point against a giant.
Quick Statistical Trends: Milan wins the vast majority of home games and rarely loses overall. Bari has produced notable upsets, particularly in the 1940s-1960s and a handful of 1990s results. Recent form shows tight, low-scoring affairs, with Milan keeping clean sheets in the last two competitive meetings.
Recent and Historic Highlights: The 17 August 2025 Coppa Italia clash ended 2-0 to Milan (goals from Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic). Looking back, the 1949 9-1 thrashing remains the biggest margin, while Bari’s 3-0 home win in 1960 stands as one of their proudest moments.
Imagine stepping into San Siro on a crisp autumn evening, the red-and-black flags waving, as the Rossoneri prepare to face a determined side from the south. Or picture the passionate roar rising from Stadio San Nicola when the Galletti host the giants. That is the essence of the AC Milan vs SSC Bari timeline, a story that stretches back nearly a century and weaves together triumphs, heartbreaks, relegation scraps, and the occasional upset that reminds everyone why Italian football remains so captivating.
For die-hard Rossoneri, these fixtures bring back memories of Scudetto-chasing seasons and star-studded line-ups. For Bari supporters, they represent resilience against bigger budgets and bigger names. Italian football historians see a microcosm of the north-south divide in the peninsula’s beautiful game, while sports bettors pore over the numbers looking for patterns in goals, clean sheets, and home advantage. This comprehensive look at their competitive meetings serves as the definitive reference, blending hard stats with the emotion that makes football special.
The Origins of the Rivalry: 1928 to the Post-War Years
The very first chapter opened on 31 October 1928 in the Divisione Nazionale. Milan traveled to Bari and won 5-1, setting an early tone of dominance. The return fixture that season ended 2-2, showing Bari could compete. Throughout the 1930s both clubs moved between Serie A and lower divisions, meeting regularly in league play.
By the 1940s the encounters grew fiercer. In the transitional 1945-46 Divisione Nazionale Girone Finale, Bari recorded an extraordinary 8-0 home victory over Milan on 27 July 1946 (one of the most surprising results in the entire timeline). Milan responded in kind the following seasons with heavy wins, including an 8-1 triumph at San Siro on 4 January 1948 and the record 9-1 demolition on 17 December 1949. Those matches featured prolific scorers such as Aldo Boffi, who netted 11 goals against Bari across his career according to detailed records.
You might wonder how a smaller club like Bari could ever trouble Milan. The answer lies in passion and home form. Bari often made life difficult at their grounds, and the post-war period highlighted the physical, tactical battles typical of Italian football at the time.
Golden Eras and Serie A Clashes: 1950s to 1990s
Both clubs spent stretches in Serie A during the 1950s and 1960s. Bari managed a memorable 3-0 home win on 10 April 1960, one of their highest-profile victories. Milan, however, continued to collect points with regularity, often thanks to clinical finishing from players like Ettore Puricelli and later stars.
The 1980s brought a mix of Serie B meetings and Coppa Italia ties. In 1985-86 Bari started the season with a narrow 1-0 loss at home but held Milan to a 0-0 draw in the return fixture. The 1987 Coppa Italia group stage saw Milan run out 5-0 winners, a reminder of the gulf in quality when the Rossoneri were firing on all cylinders.
By the early 1990s Bari had moved into the brand-new Stadio San Nicola, built for the 1990 World Cup. The venue added extra atmosphere to fixtures. In 1990-91 Milan won both league meetings comfortably, but the Coppa Italia quarter-finals produced tense legs: Milan took a 1-0 first-leg lead away, and the second leg at San Siro finished 0-0, sending Milan through.
The 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons delivered more drama. Milan edged several close results, yet Bari grabbed points through gritty defending and opportunistic counters. One standout for Rossoneri fans remains the attacking displays led by Marco van Basten in the late 1980s and early 1990s, where his movement and finishing often decided games.
Modern Meetings and the 2009-2011 Serie A Return
After years apart, Bari returned to Serie A in 2009. The AC Milan vs SSC Bari timeline gained fresh chapters. On 27 September 2009 the sides played out a cautious 0-0 draw at San Siro. The return fixture on 21 February 2010 saw Milan win 2-0 away, a professional performance that kept the Scudetto race alive for the Rossoneri.
The 2010-11 campaign brought even more excitement. On 7 November 2010 at the San Nicola, Bari took a 2-0 lead before Milan fought back to win 3-2 in a thrilling encounter full of end-to-end action. The Coppa Italia round of 16 in January 2011 ended 3-0 to Milan at home. The final league meeting on 13 March 2011 finished 1-1 at San Siro, with Bari earning a hard-fought point. These four games in quick succession remain among the most watched in recent memory for both sets of fans.
Since then, competitive meetings have been rare because Bari has mostly competed in Serie B. A 2025 Coppa Italia first-round tie on 17 August 2025 brought the clubs together again: Milan won 2-0 with goals from Rafael Leão (early strike) and Christian Pulisic, in front of more than 71,000 fans at San Siro. The result extended Milan’s unbeaten run against Bari to every competitive fixture since 2009.
Head-to-Head Statistics and Trends
Across all competitions, the numbers clearly favor Milan, yet the story is richer than simple wins and losses. Here is a clear overview based on verified records:
| Category | Matches | AC Milan Wins | Draws | SSC Bari Wins | Milan Goals | Bari Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Competitions (approx.) | 74 | 49 | 12 | 13 | ~180+ | ~70+ |
| Serie A Only | 69 | 46 | 10 | 13 | 163 | 56 |
| Home Games (Milan) | ~35 | High % | Low | Very Low | Dominant | Limited |
| Recent Competitive (2009+) | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
Biggest wins highlight the extremes:
- Milan’s record: 9-1 (17 December 1949, Serie A) and 8-1 (4 January 1948).
- Bari’s standout: 8-0 (27 July 1946, transitional league) and 3-0 (10 April 1960, Serie A).
For sports bettors, patterns emerge quickly. Milan games at San Siro have historically produced clean sheets and comfortable margins. Over 2.5 goals appeared more often in the 1940s-1960s than in the tighter modern era. Bari performs better at home, especially when fighting relegation battles or pushing for promotion. These trends have helped analysts spot value in certain markets over the decades.
Player contributions add color. Aldo Boffi’s 11 goals against Bari remain a benchmark for Milan strikers. In more recent times, stars such as Ronaldinho (in earlier 2000s fixtures), van Basten, and today’s Leão and Pulisic have provided memorable moments. Bari heroes like Igor Protti and solid goalkeepers have earned cult status for their displays against superior opposition.
Emotional Legacy and Cultural Impact
Beyond numbers, the AC Milan vs SSC Bari timeline represents Italian football heritage. Milan embodies the glamorous, trophy-laden north. Bari symbolizes the passionate south, a club that has bounced between divisions yet always returns with pride. Matches at San Siro feel like coronations for the Rossoneri; nights at San Nicola feel like sieges where the home crowd can lift their team to heroic efforts.
Historians note how these fixtures mirror broader shifts: post-war reconstruction, the 1990 World Cup infrastructure boom, the financial gaps that widened in the 2000s, and the current focus on youth and tactics. For bettors, the history offers context; for fans, it offers stories to tell grandchildren.
Last 10 Competitive Games (2009 Onward)
- 17 Aug 2025 – Coppa Italia: Milan 2-0 Bari
- 13 Mar 2011 – Serie A: Milan 1-1 Bari
- 20 Jan 2011 – Coppa Italia: Milan 3-0 Bari
- 7 Nov 2010 – Serie A: Milan 3-2 Bari
- 21 Feb 2010 – Serie A: Bari 0-2 Milan
- 27 Sep 2009 – Serie A: Milan 0-0 Bari
Milan remains unbeaten, scoring freely at home while keeping things tight away.
3 Key Takeaways for Fans and Bettors
- Milan’s historical superiority is clear, especially at San Siro. Expect control and likely a clean sheet in future home meetings.
- Bari’s upsets, though rare, usually happen at home or during transitional periods for Milan. Watch for motivated underdog performances.
- The timeline shows evolution from goal-fests in the 1940s to more tactical, lower-scoring modern clashes.
What is your favorite memory from the AC Milan vs SSC Bari timeline? Whether you cheer for the Rossoneri or the Galletti, these encounters have given Italian football plenty of unforgettable nights. Next time the fixture appears on the calendar, you will appreciate the full journey behind it.
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FAQs
When did AC Milan last play SSC Bari?
The most recent meeting was on 17 August 2025 in the Coppa Italia, with Milan winning 2-0 at San Siro.
What is the overall head-to-head record?
Milan leads with approximately 49 wins, 12 draws, and 13 wins for Bari across 74 meetings.
What is the biggest win in the timeline?
AC Milan’s 9-1 victory on 17 December 1949 remains the record margin.
Have the teams met in Coppa Italia?
Yes, several times, including 2011 (Milan 3-0) and 2025 (Milan 2-0). Milan has won every recent cup encounter.
Where do most matches take place?
Milan hosts the majority at San Siro, while Bari welcomes them to Stadio San Nicola for atmospheric home games.
Do Bari ever beat Milan?
Yes, though infrequently. Notable wins include 3-0 in 1960 and several earlier results, showing the underdog can occasionally triumph.
Why is this timeline useful for bettors?
It reveals clear home/away trends, goal averages by era, and Milan’s long unbeaten run since 2009, helping inform future wagers.
