AC Milan, featuring Luka Modric, commenced their Serie A campaign with a surprising 2-1 home loss against recently promoted Cremonese. Federico Bonazzoli`s stunning acrobatic bicycle kick ultimately sealed the victory for the visitors.

The Rossoneri had already begun their season with a 2-0 Coppa Italia victory over Bari the previous week. However, this match marked Max Allegri`s first appearance on the touchline after serving a ban. Modric and Pervis Estupinan were immediately included in the starting lineup, while Rafael Leao was unavailable due to injury. Cremonese`s squad included Milan-owned players Filippo Terracciano and Warren Bondo, though they were missing Franco Vazquez, Mattia Valoti, and Tommaso Barbieri due to suspensions, and Dennis Johnsen and Gianluca Saro were sidelined.

Just four minutes into the game, the home side nearly scored when Santiago Gimenez`s shot was deflected by Federico Baschirotto, striking the post.

Luka Modric of AC Milan runs with the ball whilst under pressure from David Okereke of Cremonese during the Serie A match. Milan, Italy – August 23, 2025.

Pervis Estupinan`s curling long-range effort narrowly missed the post. Gimenez later found the net from a Modric pass over the defense, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Cremonese capitalized on an error by Strahinja Pavlovic, leading to Mike Maignan making a challenging save from Federico Bonazzoli.

The visitors, nicknamed “The Seahorses,” pulled off a significant upset by taking the lead at San Siro. Following a poorly cleared corner, Giuseppe Pezzella delivered a cross back into the box, and Federico Baschirotto reacted quicker than Pavlovic, heading the ball into the top corner.

Federico Baschirotto of Cremonese scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match. Milan, Italy – August 23, 2025.

Gimenez narrowly missed with a volley after Cremonese goalkeeper Emil Audero fumbled a corner. However, Milan managed to equalize just before halftime. Cremonese protested vehemently, believing Alessio Zerbin was fouled by Alexis Saelemaekers in the play leading up to the goal. Estupinan delivered a cross from the by-line, which Pavlovic met with an unchallenged header at the far post.

Christian Pulisic runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Filippo Terracciano of Cremonese during the Serie A match. Italy – August 23, 2025.

In the 52nd minute, Allegri`s side created a series of chances. Emil Audero first spectacularly tipped a Modric shot over the bar, then saved Christian Pulisic`s attempt from the subsequent corner, and finally blocked Youssouf Fofana`s shot aimed at the bottom corner.

Cremonese not only maintained their defensive solidity but also managed to regain their lead. Baschirotto dispossessed Gimenez, enabling Pezzella to deliver a precise cross from the by-line, which Federico Bonazzoli converted with a spectacular acrobatic bicycle kick, catching Maignan off guard.

Federico Bonazzoli of Cremonese celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate during the Serie A match. Italy – August 23, 2025.

Milan continued to press, with Pulisic`s curling shot from cutting inside former teammate Terracciano narrowly missing the top corner. Ruben Loftus-Cheek also had an attempt that hit the side-netting.

In the dying moments of added time, Gimenez`s diving header from a corner was followed by Saelemaekers` inability to convert the rebound at the back post. The Rossoneri were met with jeers from their home crowd as the final whistle blew.

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