AC Milan's Serie A Season Kicks Off with 2-1 Defeat to Cremonese

Cremonese stuns AC Milan with thrilling 2-1 win in Serie A Opener

AC Milan suffers a shocking 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Cremonese in their Serie A opener, with Federico Bonazzoli scoring a stunning bicycle kick.

AC Milan's Serie A season kicked off on the wrong foot, with a shocking 2-1 home defeat to newly-promoted Cremonese at the San Siro. This loss marked their first-ever defeat against Cremonese in the Italian top flight. Federico Baschirotto headed Cremonese ahead in the 28th minute, but Strahinja Pavlovic equalized for Milan just before halftime with a well-taken header.

Newly-promoted Cremonese had a promising start, but their momentum was disrupted before halftime. Santiago Gimenez's goal was disallowed due to offside, and the visitors quickly seized the opportunity to take the lead. This turn of events seemed to set the tone for a challenging first half for Cremonese.

It was a wonderfully-taken goal, too, as Alessio Zerbin’s cross was powered home by new boy Federico Baschirotto’s head.

Milan offered very little in response, but just before the interval, they found themselves back on level terms when Strahinja Pavlovic nodded Pervis Estupinan’s cross beyond Emil Audero.

Cremonese head coach Davide Nicola and his players were apoplectic as they believed the goal should have been ruled out for a foul on Zerbin in the build-up, but the goal ultimately stood to send them in all square at the break.

They've done it! Cremonese beat Milan at San Siro! 🙌#MilanCremonese pic.twitter.com/YWFdj51vSn

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) August 23, 2025

Having hauled themselves level at the perfect time, Milan looked to use Pavlovic’s goal as a springboard immediately after the restart.

AC Milan created three scoring opportunities in quick succession, with Luka Modric, Christian Pulisic, and Youssouf Fofana all testing Cremonese goalkeeper Emil Audero. Despite their impressive debut performance, Modric and the others couldn't find the back of the net, thanks to Audero's exceptional saves.

However, Milan's momentum waned around the hour mark, and Cremonese seized the opportunity to take the lead. Federico Bonazzoli, a former Inter Milan player, delivered a stunning bicycle kick that left Mike Maignan with no chance, securing a 2-1 win for Cremonese. This moment of magic proved pivotal in the match, showcasing Bonazzoli's skill and Cremonese's determination.

After falling behind, AC Milan dominated possession, but Cremonese goalkeeper Emil Audero didn't face significant threats. Despite being largely confined to their own half for the final 30 minutes, Cremonese held on comfortably, securing a 2-1 win.

Cremonese coach Davide Nicola will be thrilled with his team's performance, especially given the challenging nature of the match. Nicola's side demonstrated resilience and determination, and they'll aim to build on this momentum to accumulate points early in the season. Meanwhile, Allegri's Milan may face growing pressure as they strive to reclaim their position at the top of Serie A.

This defeat exposes Milan's persistent defensive issues and lack of cohesion under new coach Maximiliano Allegri. Despite attempts to boost their attack with Luka Modric and Samuel Chukwueze, Milan couldn't overcome Cremonese's grit and determination. Milan's next match will be against Lecce.