AC Milan vs SSC Bari Timeline: When you think of Italian football rivalries, you probably picture AC Milan vs Inter, or maybe Juventus. But hidden in the archives of Serie A history lies a fascinating, long-running fixture: AC Milan vs SSC Bari.
It’s not a derby. It’s not fueled by geographic hatred. But it tells a story that defines Italian football itself — the powerhouse versus the underdog.
AC Milan vs SSC Bari Timeline: As of March 2026, AC Milan and SSC Bari have met 77 times in official competitive matches since 1928. The numbers show dominance. The history shows drama. And occasionally, Bari pulled off shocks that still echo in Italian football folklore.
Let’s break down the complete AC Milan vs SSC Bari timeline, decade by decade, match by match, and explore why this fixture still matters today.
Overall Head-to-Head Record (All Competitions, 1928–2026)
Before diving into the timeline, here’s the complete statistical snapshot.
Total Meetings
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77 official competitive matches
Wins & Results
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AC Milan wins: 51
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Draws: 13
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SSC Bari wins: 13
Goals Scored
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AC Milan: 182 goals
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SSC Bari: 64 goals
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Average: ~3.2 goals per game
The gulf is obvious.
Milan, with:
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19× Italian league titles
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7× European Cups / Champions League trophies
Bari:
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No major trophies
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Frequent Serie A/Serie B promotions and relegations
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Proud southern support base (“I Galletti”)
Home Advantage Trends
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San Siro (Milan home): Overwhelming dominance for Milan (30+ wins, very few losses)
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Stadio San Nicola (Bari home): Bari’s best chance to steal points
Biggest Wins
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Largest Milan win: 9–1 (18 December 1949, Serie A)
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Most famous Bari wins: 1–0 at San Siro (1989 & 1990/91 era)
Most Recent Match
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17 August 2025 – AC Milan 2–0 SSC Bari (Coppa Italia)
After 14 years without meetings, the fixture returned.
1928–1949: Early Encounters & Milan’s Ruthless Dominance
The first ever meeting took place on:
1 November 1928 – AC Milan 5–1 SSC Bari
(Divisione Nazionale, San Siro)
Right from the start, Milan imposed superiority.
During the 1930s and 1940s, scorelines were often brutal. Defensive organization was less structured in early Italian football, and elite teams regularly produced heavy wins.
Typical Results in This Era
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4–0
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5–1
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5–0
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4–1
Bari occasionally managed draws like 2–2, but rarely sustained competitiveness.
The Infamous 9–1 (18 December 1949)
This remains the most iconic match in the fixture’s history.
AC Milan 9–1 SSC Bari (Serie A)
It was not just a loss — it was humiliation. Milan’s attacking machine ran riot at San Siro. Even by post-war football standards, a 9–1 result was extraordinary.
Other huge scorelines during the 1940s:
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8–0 (1946)
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8–1 (1948)
This era cemented the historical imbalance between the clubs.
1950–1969: Milan’s Golden Era & Coppa Italia Battles
The 1950s and 1960s saw Milan rise as a European powerhouse. With legends emerging and domestic dominance strengthening, Bari struggled to close the gap.
Notable Serie A Results
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4–2 Milan wins (1958/59)
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3–0 Milan victories
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2–0 controlled performances
Bari managed rare resistance, especially at home, but the consistency wasn’t there.
1967/68 Coppa Italia Quarter-Finals
One of the more competitive chapters.
Two-legged tie:
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First leg (Bari home): 1–1
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Second leg (San Siro): Milan 4–1 Bari
Even when Bari performed bravely, Milan’s depth proved decisive.
This period reinforced the narrative:
Milan = title contender
Bari = survival battler
1970–1989: Intermittent Meetings & Growing Resistance
During the 1970s and 1980s, the clubs met less frequently because Bari spent multiple seasons in Serie B.
But when they did clash, tension increased.
Serie B Meetings
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1980/81
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1982/83
Even in Serie B, Milan often won comfortably:
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3–1
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4–1
But the dynamic began shifting emotionally.
Bari were no longer passive participants.
1989: The Giant-Killer Moment
29 December 1989 – Bari 1–0 AC Milan (San Siro)
This was seismic.
Milan were European giants. Bari were underdogs.
Yet Bari walked into San Siro and won 1–0.
For Bari supporters, this match is legendary.
It proved something powerful:
Even giants can bleed.
1989–2001: Bari’s Memorable Upsets & Competitive Phase
The late 1980s and 1990s were the most competitive period in the fixture.
Bari managed:
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Another 1–0 win at San Siro (1990/91 season era)
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Several draws
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Stronger home performances
Meanwhile, Milan still recorded dominant wins:
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4–0
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4–1
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3–0
But something had changed.
Bari no longer looked intimidated.
Why This Era Matters
For Bari fans, this was their golden emotional chapter.
Beating Milan — especially away — became folklore.
It wasn’t about trophies.
It was about pride.
2009–2011: The Last Regular Serie A Era
Bari’s final extended Serie A stay before relegation brought the most modern chapter of this rivalry.
Under managers like Antonio Conte and later Gian Piero Ventura, Bari played energetic, organized football.
Verified Match Results
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27 Sep 2009 – Bari 0–0 AC Milan
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21 Feb 2010 – Bari 0–2 AC Milan (Borriello & Ronaldinho)
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7 Nov 2010 – AC Milan 3–2 Bari
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20 Jan 2011 – AC Milan 3–0 Bari (Coppa Italia R16)
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13 Mar 2011 – AC Milan 1–1 Bari
Milan dominated overall, but Bari showed grit.
The 3–2 thriller at San Siro remains one of the most entertaining recent clashes.
After 2011, the fixture disappeared due to Bari’s relegation.
2025: The Revival – Coppa Italia Return
After 14 years without meeting, the clubs faced off again.
17 August 2025 – Coppa Italia First Round
AC Milan 2–0 SSC Bari
Attendance: 71,061 at San Siro
Milan rotated the squad but controlled possession and tempo comfortably.
For Bari fans, simply returning to San Siro was symbolic.
The hierarchy remained intact, but the passion hadn’t faded.
Memorable Records, Stats & Cultural Significance
Record Highlights
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Average goals per game: 3.2
Attendance Peaks
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75,000+ (early 1990s)
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71,061 (2025 Coppa Italia)
Legends Who Featured
For Milan:
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Franco Baresi
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Paolo Maldini
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Andriy Shevchenko
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Ronaldinho
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Zlatan Ibrahimović
For Bari:
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Barreto
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Meggiorini
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Conte-era 2009/10 squad heroes
Why This Fixture Still Matters
For Milan fans:
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Often routine league points
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Squad rotation opportunity
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Expected dominance
For Bari fans:
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A rare shot at glory
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The thrill of upsetting a giant
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Southern pride vs northern elite
It symbolizes:
Big-city power vs provincial passion
Resources vs resilience
Expectation vs belief
Conclusion: More Than Just a Scoreline
On paper, AC Milan vs SSC Bari looks one-sided.
51 wins to 13.
182 goals to 64.
But football isn’t just about numbers.
It’s about moments — like Bari’s 1–0 shock at San Siro.
It’s about humiliation — like the 9–1 thrashing of 1949.
It’s about revival — like the 2025 Coppa Italia reunion.
This fixture reflects Italian football’s layered history: dominance, defiance, loyalty, and memory.
And if Bari return to Serie A again?
Another chapter waits to be written.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many times have AC Milan and SSC Bari played each other?
They have met 77 times in official competitions since 1928.
2. What is the biggest win in AC Milan vs Bari history?
Milan’s 9–1 victory on 18 December 1949 remains the largest margin.
3. When was their most recent match?
17 August 2025 – AC Milan 2–0 SSC Bari (Coppa Italia).
4. Has Bari ever beaten Milan at San Siro?
Yes — most famously 1–0 in 1989, and again during the 1990/91 era.
5. Why is this fixture important?
It represents the classic Italian football hierarchy clash — elite powerhouse vs determined underdog.