Bicycle kicks and worries: De Luca and Co. shock Milan

At the start of the new Serie A season, Milan, one of the title contenders, faced newly promoted Cremonese. The ambitions of the two clubs this season could hardly be more different – and yet it's worth it for South Tyrolean football fans to keep a close eye on Cremonese this year. After all, it was Manuel De Luca from Pfattning who shot the club into Serie A with a brace three months ago. In Saturday evening's league opener, the South Tyrolean striker had to wait until the 83rd minute to make his appearance, but he was ultimately able to celebrate his team's 2-1 victory at San Siro.

Milan presented a weak first half: their build-up play was static for long stretches, their passes were barely in place, and they lacked creativity in the final third. Even new signing Luka Modric couldn't significantly change this, although he excelled with precise passing and plenty of running. Estupiñán and Pavlovic, in particular, were initially unfortunate – with inaccurate passing, poor positioning, and turnovers. Cremonese cleverly exploited the errors, waiting for counterattacks, and deservedly took a 0-1 lead after a cross from Alessio Zerbin, which Baschirotto headed in (28').

Modric lost his Milan debut. © APA/afp / PIERO CRUCIATTI

However, it was Estupiñán and Pavlovic who brought Milan back into the game shortly before half-time: Estupiñán delivered a precise cross and Pavlovic headed in the equaliser to make it 1-1 (45'+1').

Dream goal shocks Milan After the break, Milan started aggressively and created several good chances, but were repeatedly denied by the brilliant Audero in the visitors' goal. A wonder goal from Federico Bonazzoli finally completely derailed the Rossoneri – his spectacular overhead kick to make it 1-2 (61') was the decisive moment of the match. After that, Cremonese dropped back deep, defended fiercely, and focused on holding on to their narrow lead.

Cremonese embrace each other. © ANSA / MATTEO BAZZI

In the 83rd minute, Manuel De Luca also entered the game. The South Tyrolean, playing only his third Serie A game, came on as a substitute for goalscorer Bonazzoli. He was no longer allowed to develop offensively, but instead had to play valuable defensive work and compete in crucial challenges to secure his team's away win.

Defending champions Napoli, meanwhile, successfully mastered their opening match with a 2-0 win against Sassuolo.

The results Genoa – Lecce 0:0

Sassuolo – Napoli 0:2 Goals: 0:1 McTominay (17th), 0:2 De Bruyne (57th)

Milan – Cremonese 1:2 Goals: 0:1 Bascherotto (28th), 1:1 Pavlovic (45+1st), 1:2Bonazzoli (61st)

Roma – Bologna 1-0 Goals: 1-0 Wesley (53.)

SP G U V TV P 1. Inter 1 1 0 0 5:0 3 2. As 1 1 0 0 2:0 3 2. Juventus 1 1 0 0 2:0 3 2. Naples 1 1 0 0 2:0 3 5. Cremonese 1 1 0 0 2:1 3 6. Roma 1 1 0 0 1:0 3 7. Atalanta 1 0 1 0 1:1 1 7. Cagliari 1 0 1 0 1:1 1 7. Fiorentina 1 0 1 0 1:1 1 7. Hellas Verona 1 0 1 0 1:1 1 7. Step on 1 0 1 0 1:1 1 7.Udinese 1 0 1 0 1:1 1 13. Genoa 1 0 1 0 0:0 1 13. Lecce 1 0 1 0 0:0 1 15.Milan 1 0 0 1 1:2 0 16.Bologna 1 0 0 1 0:1 0 17. Parma 1 0 0 1 0:2 0 17. Sassuolo 1 0 0 1 0:2 0 17. Lazio 1 0 0 1 0:2 0 20. Torino 1 0 0 1 0:5 0

Serie A Italy	SP	TV	P
1. Roma	3	10:1	9
2. Inter	3	8:3	9
3. Lazio	3	4:1	9
4. As	3	7:3	7
5.Milan	3	5:2	7
6. Juventus	3	4:1	7
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Bicycle kicks and worries: De Luca and Co. shock Milan

Milan started the new Serie A season with a home defeat. Against newly promoted Cremonese, the Rossoneri lacked ideas and cutting edge for long stretches.

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