The Return, The Rout, The Recurring Nightmare
For Massimiliano Allegri, his much-anticipated return to the AC Milan dugout was less of a triumphant homecoming and more of a recurring nightmare. The 2-1 defeat to Cremonese marked a particularly unwelcome milestone: his third consecutive opening-day loss in charge of the Rossoneri. One might almost admire the consistency, if it weren`t so consistently disheartening for the Milan faithful.
Cremonese, operating with a disciplined 5-3-2 formation, entered San Siro not with trepidation, but with a clear tactical blueprint. They aimed to stifle Milan`s creative avenues and capitalize on any opportunity – a strategy that, by the final whistle, proved to be nothing short of genius.
A Snail`s Pace and a Moment of Magic
From the outset, Milan appeared sluggish and predictable. The ball moved with a frustrating lack of urgency, allowing Cremonese to maintain their defensive shape without undue stress. Despite possessing the lion`s share of the ball, genuine threats on goal were scarce. It was a performance that conjured images of a grand orchestra playing a beautiful, albeit terribly slow, symphony while their opponents were conducting a frenetic, punk-rock anthem.
Cremonese struck first in the 28th minute. A cross from Zerbin found its way to an unmarked Baschirotto, who outmanoeuvred Pavlovic to head home the opener. His subsequent “Robocop” celebration was a poignant visual of the burgeoning confidence of the underdogs. Milan, however, managed to find a brief respite just before halftime. A steal by Saelemaekers led to Estupinan`s cross, finding Pavlovic, who, having temporarily forgotten his defensive duties, popped up in the opposition box to nod in an equaliser. San Siro breathed a collective, if temporary, sigh of relief.
The true moment of footballing poetry arrived in the 61st minute. Baschirotto, once again, was instrumental, pressing Gimenez and winning possession. Pezzella delivered a cross into the box, and there, defying gravity and logic, was Federico Bonazzoli. With a breathtaking left-footed scissor-kick, he propelled the ball past the goalkeeper, leaving even the most jaded of spectators agape. It was a goal that would grace any highlight reel, a fittingly spectacular winner for an ex-Inter player against their city rivals, adding a subtle, delicious layer of derby spice to the upset.
Milan`s Fading Flicker
Milan`s moments of genuine attacking impetus were fleeting, almost shy. A five-minute spell early in the second half saw a flurry of chances: Gimenez forcing a save, Pulisic striking on the volley, Fofana testing the keeper, and then another Fofana shot sailing high. These instances, though promising, highlighted a broader issue: the final touch was consistently lacking. Even Luka Modric, at a seasoned 39 years and 11 months, seemed to be the most lucid playmaker, weaving passes and creating space. One might half-jokingly wonder if he’s still waiting for his teammates to catch up to his footballing brain, or perhaps to simply remember what year it is. Unfortunately, his brilliance wasn`t enough to compensate for the collective`s lethargy and poor finishing.
The last half-hour, usually Milan`s hunting ground for late heroics, yielded little. A Pulisic shot narrowly wide, a Loftus-Cheek effort into the side netting, and a desperate Gimenez header cleared off the line were all they could muster. The anticipated surge never materialised, leaving a palpable sense of frustration hanging heavy in the air.
The Stadium Speaks: Boos and Market Demands
The atmosphere at San Siro was as telling as the scoreline. With sections of the Curva Sud on strike, the initial quiet was broken predominantly by the joyous drums and chants of the 3,500 visiting Cremonese fans. The brief roar for Pavlovic`s equaliser was quickly swallowed by the general discontent. As the final whistle blew, the grand old stadium, usually a cauldron of passion, erupted in a chorus of whistles and boos from the frustrated Milanisti.
“Another year like this is simply unacceptable,” muttered one departing fan, a sentiment echoed by many who believe the squad desperately needs reinforcements. “The transfer market is still open, and there`s money in the bank. Spend it, please, and quickly.”
The sentiment was clear: this was not the start of the season fans envisioned, especially with Allegri back at the helm and seemingly repeating historical patterns. The defeat, rather than a mere blip, felt like a statement – a potent reminder that in Serie A, even the most established titans can be humbled, and the narrative of a season can be dramatically rewritten on day one.
What Lies Ahead?
For Cremonese, this victory is an immense morale boost, a signal that they are not merely here to make up the numbers. For AC Milan, it’s a harsh wake-up call. The road is long, but an opening-day defeat at home, particularly in such fashion, inevitably casts a long shadow. Allegri and his squad now face the immediate challenge of silencing the critics, addressing their tactical frailties, and, perhaps most crucially, restoring the faith of a fanbase that, on this memorable evening, felt distinctly short-changed.
