On a balmy August evening in 2025, the hallowed grounds of San Siro were set to host AC Milan`s opening fixture of the Serie A season against newly-promoted Cremonese. Expectations were, as always, stratospheric for the Rossoneri. However, what unfolded was a stark reminder that in football, history and reputation count for little when grit and tactical discipline take center stage. Milan succumbed to a shocking 1-2 defeat, a result that sent immediate tremors through the club and provided Cremonese with a dream start to their top-flight return.
The Unexpected Narrative: Cremonese`s Bold Strategy
From kick-off, it became clear that Davide Nicola`s Cremonese had not traveled to Milan merely to participate. Employing a tightly organized 5-3-2 formation, they meticulously absorbed Milan`s attacks, transforming San Siro into a fortress of their own design. Milan, perhaps lulled by their superior pedigree, found themselves in a recurring predicament: predictable possession, devoid of the incisiveness required to dismantle a resolute defensive block. The home side`s tempo was conspicuously low, struggling to inject pace or creativity into their build-up play.
Key Moments and Goal Breakdown:
- Cremonese Takes the Lead (28`): A cross from Zerbin found its mark as Baschirotto, with a surprising burst, outmaneuvered Pavlovic to head the ball into the net. His subsequent “Robocop” celebration became an instant meme, encapsulating the sheer joy and audacity of the moment.
- Milan`s Brief Respite (45+1`): Just before the interval, Milan clawed back an equalizer. Saelemaekers` proactive play led to Estupinan delivering a cross which found Pavlovic, who, having seemingly returned from his short defensive vacation, headed in to level the score.
- The Decisive Blow (61`): The goal that would define the match. Baschirotto pressed high, dispossessing Jimenez. Pezzella then delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box. There, Federico Bonazzoli, a player with a history at rivals Inter, executed a sensational left-footed scissor-kick, leaving the Milan defense, particularly a rather obliging Fofana, watching in admiration. It was a goal of exceptional quality, already being lauded as an early contender for `Goal of the Season`. A touch of irony, perhaps, that a former Nerazzurro would inflict such pain on the Rossoneri on opening day.
Milan`s Lament: A Season Opener Riddled with Familiar Woes
For AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, this 1-2 defeat marked an unfortunate hat-trick: his third consecutive opening-day league loss at the helm of Milan. A statistic that, irrespective of early season rust, suggests a worrying trend. The team`s offensive efforts were largely disjointed, characterized by a lack of clinical finishing and individual brilliance when it mattered most. While a five-minute burst of activity early in the second half saw Milan create a flurry of opportunities, with shots from Gimenez, Pulisic, and Fofana, none found the back of the net.
A poignant observation from the match was the performance of Luka Modric. Approaching his 40th birthday, the Croatian maestro was, by many accounts, Milan`s most influential player. His calm distribution and insightful passes stood out, yet they often served to highlight the pedestrian pace of the team around him. One might muse that if a player just shy of four decades is your most dynamic force, your engine room might require a significant tune-up. Other notable performances were less flattering: Loftus-Cheek appeared subdued, Fofana`s final touch was consistently lacking, and Alex Jimenez struggled to impose himself after his introduction. The expected late surge from Milan simply never materialized, leaving a void of genuine threat in the final half-hour.
San Siro`s Discontent: Whispers of the Transfer Market
The mood within San Siro was a palpable reflection of the unfolding drama. Amidst a partial strike by the curva sud, the robust chants and rhythmic drumming of the modest 3,500 Cremonese supporters dominated the auditory landscape for long periods. Pavlovic`s equalizer temporarily staved off the half-time boos, and a brief Modric-inspired rally brought some Milanese voices to life in the second half. However, the final whistle brought forth an unmistakable symphony of whistles, a clear expression of disillusionment from the home crowd.
The sentiment emanating from the stands and post-match discussions was unequivocal: “Another year like this is simply not deserved.” Fans voiced concerns over the team`s apparent deficiencies and the urgent need for reinforcement. With the transfer window still ajar and, reportedly, funds available, the spotlight now intensifies on the club`s hierarchy to make swift, impactful decisions. An opening day upset against a newly-promoted side, particularly one delivered with such panache by an opponent, is hardly the gentle August initiation Milan had envisioned for their 2025/2026 campaign.
Cremonese`s triumph is a testament to their unwavering spirit and tactical acumen, providing a momentous kick-off to their Serie A season. For AC Milan, however, this defeat at San Siro serves as a potent early warning. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, but such an early stumble against a perceived underdog demands immediate introspection and decisive action. The challenge for Milan is clear: to learn from this surprising setback, address their apparent vulnerabilities, and prevent this initial disappointment from becoming a defining narrative.
Elton Marrow