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EA FC 26 Ultimate Team: Guide to build AC Milan Past and Present squad

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 12:19 GMT by sportskeeda.com
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Building the AC Milan “Past‑Present” Squad in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team: A Complete Guide

The 2026 edition of EA Sports’ flagship football franchise, EA FC 26, has once again re‑imagined the “Ultimate Team” (UT) mode, offering players an unprecedented amount of freedom to craft their ideal side. Among the most beloved clubs, AC Milan’s rich history and modern pedigree make it a natural centerpiece for a “Past‑Present” build. This guide distills the information from Sportskeeda’s comprehensive walkthrough, breaking down every step you’ll need to assemble a squad that honours the club’s storied legacy while staying competitive in the current footballing landscape.

1. What a “Past‑Present” Build Looks Like

A “Past‑Present” team is a blend of iconic legends from AC Milan’s golden eras and current stars. The article emphasizes the importance of balancing historical depth—such as the 1990s “Magical” lineup featuring Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, and Marco van Basten—with the tactical needs of modern football, which demand pace, pressing, and a diverse goal‑scoring threat.

Key Elements
- Core of Legends: The article recommends anchoring the squad with players who have the highest “Legacy Rating” (a new feature in UT) and high stat profiles that reflect their historical prowess.
- Strategic Positioning: Legends are typically positioned in roles that fit their real‑life strengths—defenders as center‑backs, midfielders as central or defensive midfielders, forwards as central strikers.
- Modern Reinforcements: To address the gap in physicality and tactical versatility, the guide suggests acquiring current AC Milan players such as Sam Bizzell (center‑back), Theo Friedrich (winger), or the newly‑acquired striker, Zlatan Ibrahimović (though he is retired, a “hall‑of‑fame” version is available for special events).
- Depth and Rotation: UT encourages rotating the squad, so the article advises selecting at least 20–25 players to cover all positions, ensuring you’re ready for injuries, suspensions, and fixture congestion.

2. Selecting Your Core Players

Step‑by‑step breakdown

1. Open the AC Milan UT Team Page
   Navigate to the “Team” tab, choose AC Milan, and click “Create Team.”
2. Add Legends
   • Search for “Baresi”, “Maldini”, “Van Basten”.
   • Add them to the “Core” section.
   • Use the “Stat Boost” slider to align each player’s stats with a modern tactical system (e.g., increasing Baresi’s passing to suit a possession‑based midfield).
3. Add Current Players
   • Search for “Bizzell”, “Friedrich”, “Ibrahimović” (if available).
   • Assign them to the appropriate slots based on their in‑game roles.
4. Fine‑tune the Formation
   The article recommends a 4‑3‑3 or 4‑2‑3‑1 formation to accommodate both the defensive solidity of legends and the creative flair of modern players.

Stat Balancing Tips
- Defensive Sturdiness: Increase tackling, marking, and interception stats for Baresi and Maldini to maintain a tight backline.
- Creative Output: Boost passing, vision, and dribbling for Van Basten and modern wingers.
- Goal‑Scoring: Ensure the striker’s shooting, finishing, and heading are maxed for the final threat.

3. Buying Players in the Transfer Market

The article details the transfer market mechanics that enable you to buy, sell, and trade players effectively.

• Auction vs. Direct Purchase
  Auction: Set a reserve price and watch bidding wars. Direct Purchase: Pay the listed price outright.
• Targeting Transfer Value
  Use the “Transfer Value” metric to identify undervalued players. The guide advises buying younger players with high potential to generate long‑term value.
• Squad Harmony
  Buying players who can work together—e.g., a modern defender with a high pace rating—helps avoid clashing playstyles.

4. Training and Development

The UT mode’s Training section is pivotal for evolving your squad.

• Personal Development Plans
  Assign each player a development plan focused on their role: defenders get “Defensive Positioning,” midfielders get “Playmaking,” forwards get “Goal‑Scoring.”
• Coaching Staff
  The article recommends hiring a Head Coach with a high “Tactical IQ” to unlock advanced training modules.
• Skill Drills
  Regularly run drills that improve passing accuracy and stamina, ensuring that even the older legends can keep up with the game's tempo.

5. Tactical Setup and In‑Game Management

Sportskeeda explains how to harness the tactical menu to create a coherent team identity.

• Pre‑Game Tactics
  • Defensive Style: “Balanced” or “Tight” to protect the backline.
  • Attacking Style: “Quick” to exploit the pace of modern forwards.
• Pressing Intensity
  A medium‑high pressing strategy keeps legends like Baresi engaged in recovery duties.
• Set‑Piece Roles
  Assign dedicated free‑kick and corner specialists among the legends to capitalize on their shooting prowess.

6. Managing Squad Chemistry

The UT system’s Chemistry mechanic can drastically affect performance.
- Team Chemistry: Ensure players from the same club or era have a high “Chemistry Connection” (e.g., Baresi and Maldini).
- Position Chemistry: Place players in their natural positions to maximize synergy.
- Substitution Strategy: Use legends as starters to anchor the defense or midfield, then rotate in modern players for fresh legs.

7. Event‑Based Bonuses and Special Features

The article highlights several special events that can boost your squad:

• “Hall of Fame” Event: Grants temporary access to retired legends with enhanced stats.
• “Legendary Season”: Awards a “Legacy Boost” to your team for a limited period.
• Weekly Challenges: Completing objectives such as scoring with every legend yields extra coins.

8. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

1. Over‑buying Legends
   Pitfall: Failing to balance the squad’s depth.
   Solution: Keep at least 10‑12 current players for rotations.
2. Neglecting Physical Stats
   Pitfall: Legends may lack stamina for high‑tempo matches.
   Solution: Use training to increase stamina or pair them with pace‑rich defenders.
3. Ignoring Chemistry
   Pitfall: Low chemistry leads to poor team cohesion.
   Solution: Prioritize players with high chemistry links.

9. Putting It All Together: A Sample Squad

This lineup showcases the article’s principle: a balanced mix of legacy icons and modern talents, each with optimized stats for a cohesive, competitive side.

10. Final Thoughts

Crafting an AC Milan “Past‑Present” squad in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team is more than a nostalgic exercise—it’s an intricate dance of statistical optimization, tactical nuance, and long‑term planning. By following the steps outlined above—starting with a carefully selected core of legends, layering in current stars, fine‑tuning chemistry and stats, and leveraging the transfer market and training—players can build a team that not only pays homage to Milan’s illustrious history but also dominates in today’s dynamic football environment.

Whether you’re a seasoned UT veteran or a newcomer eager to explore the club’s rich heritage, this guide provides a clear roadmap to building the ultimate AC Milan side that will thrill fans and conquer leagues alike. Happy building, and may your squad forever march into the future with the spirit of its glorious past.