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Audi Cup Preview: Mihajlovic Confident Ahead of Bayern Munich Clash

Milan will face two more strong preseason tests Tuesday and Wednesday, but the first-year Milan manager thinks his squad is in good shape ahead of 2015-16 season.

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Milan will face Bayern Munich Tuesday and either Real Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur Wednesday at the Allianz Arena.
Milan will face Bayern Munich Tuesday and either Real Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur Wednesday at the Allianz Arena.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

After a decent showing in the International Champions Cup showcase in China, Milan is in Munich for the biennial Audi Cup. The Rossoneri will meet Bayern Munich Tuesday in the fourth installment of the preseason competition. They will play Real Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur Wednesday.

It may only be a preseason tournament, but Milan should be looking to exceed their previous three performances at the event. Milan has lost the first match each time, twice to Bayern Munich in 2009 and 2011 and against Manchester City in 2013.

Tuesday's match will air live on ESPN2 at 2:45 p.m. ET.

Here is a look at Milan's squad for the Audi Cup:

Goalkeepers: Christian Abbiati, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Diego Lopez

Defenders: Ignazio Abate, Alex, Luca Antonelli, Davide Calabria, Mattia De Sciglio, Rodrigo Ely, Philippe Mexes, Gabriel Paletta, Cristian Zapata

Midfielders: Andrea Bertolacci, Giacomo Bonaventura, Nigel De Jong, Jose Mauri, Riccardo Montolivo, Antonio Nocerino, Andrea Poli, Suso

Forwards: Carlos Bacca, Alessio Cerci, Keisuke Honda, Luiz Adriano, Alessandro Matri, M'Baye Niang

Milan's two matches at the Allianz Arena will be their sixth and seventh of the preseason. So far, the Rossoneri have defeated Inter, Alcione and Legnano, drawn Real Madrid (lost 10-9 on penalty kicks) and lost to Olympique Lyon. After the Audi Cup, Milan will have an eight-day break before the annual TIM Trophy competition against Inter and Sassuolo Aug. 12.

During the first five games, Milan has outscored opponents 12-4, with Mexes' winner against Inter highlighting the preseason campaign so far.

With Milan still active in the transfer market, several players will be looking to make impressions on first-year manager Sinisa Mihajlovic. The club is actively linked to Roma center back Alessio Romagnoli, Zenit midfielder Axel Witsel and Paris-Saint Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Bertolacci will be the main target, Witsel after him, but Mihajlovic is confident in his squad as is.

At the moment, this is a probable lineup without any more signings:

At his pre-Audi Cup press conference, Mihajlovic said he thinks this is enough to help Milan reach its goal of returning to the top three.

"We know it will be difficult, that all the other teams have strengthened their squads but we have also built a strong team," Mihajlovic said. "We have signed some important players like Luiz Adriano and Bacca, like Bertolacci.

"We have been working together a month and we are at a good point. In China, against Inter and Real Madrid, we put in some good performances, and I am sure we can do the same here in Munich."

This confidence did not stop Mihajlovic from admitting he and Milan are focused on signing Romagnoli in the little time remaining in the transfer window. The 20-year-old played on loan at Sampdoria for Mihajlovic last season. In his Audi Cup press conference, the new Milan boss said he needs a left-footed player who knows his system. Romagnoli, who played in 30 matches last season, is the perfect match, and Milan are reportedly ready to up their bid to 28 million euros.