AC MILAN WIN SIX-GOAL THRILLER ON OPENING DAY

From Atalanta to Udinese, with the same outcome. San Siro embraced the Rossoneri for the first time since that win back in May as AC Milan started 2022/23 with a bang. It ended 4-2 in front of over 70,000 spectators, thanks to goals from Rebić (brace), Díaz and Hernández (penalty). Opening day of Serie A got off to the worst start possible for our boys as Becão grabbed an early goal but a quick one-two punch from Theo and Ante pulled the hosts in front. Masina equalized late in the half, a blow for Pioli’s men. But the Rossoneri came out of traps for the second half like a lightning bolt and dominated the second 45 minutes.

It was a special evening for two of our goalscorers tonight: Ante Rebić scored at San Siro in Serie A for the first time in 482 days, while Brahim Díaz ended a drought that had been going on since 25 September 2021. There were also three players making their competitive debuts for the Club: Charles De Ketelaere – who had a goal disallowed late on -, Divock Origi and Tommaso Pobega.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v UDINESE

MATCH REPORT

The atmosphere was electric at San Siro but the match started off in the worst possible way for the Rossoneri going one down through Becão's headed goal, who anticipated well to flick in at the near post from a corner. On the 11th minute mark, AC Milan struck back immediately thanks to a Theo Hernández penalty, won by Calabria after a foul by Soppy. After 15 minutes, the result had already turned on its head: Brahim played in Calabria on the right whose cross found Rebić to make it 2-1. Just before the half-hour mark, Kalulu made his first big defensive play of the season blocking off Deulofeu, who had advanced well into the box. But in injury-time of the first half, Masina headed home the equaliser for the away side, anticipating well ahead of Messias, beating an out-stretched Maignan.

The second half started off in the same fashion as the first but it was the Rossoneri this time who opened the scoring early on: a cross from Theo caused some indecision in the Friulani defence and the ball fell to Brahim, who struck poked home to make it 3-2. The home side controlled the game from there on in and hit again after 67 minutes: pressure from Messias won the ball back for Díaz, who placed it into the path of Rebić who couldn't miss, 4-2 Milan. Last season's MVP, Leão, started to get a taste of the action. On 76 minutes, he turned back onto his left foot looking for the far corner but his shot went just over. By now, the game was opening up as Udinese looked for a way to get back in but it was almost 5-2 through Saelemaekers, who connected to a Theo cross but his attempt was just off target. One minute from the end, a De Ketelaere goal was cancelled for offside, that would have given him a dream start. But that was the last of the action, ending 4-2 for the Rossoneri.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 4-2 UDINESE

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernández; Bennacer, Krunić (84' Pobega); Messias (71' Saelemaekers), Díaz (71' De Ketelaere), Leão (84' Origi); Rebić (72' Giroud). Subs.: Mirante, Tătăruşanu; Ballo-Touré, Florenzi, Gabbia, Kjær; Adli, Bakayoko. Coach: Pioli.

UDINESE (3-5-2): Silvestri; Becão, Nuytinck, Pérez (67' Ebosse); Soppy, Pereyra, Walace (76' Samardžić), Makengo (76' Lovric), Masina (83' Ebosele); Deulofeu, Success (67' Beto). Subs.: Padelli, Piana; Abankwah, Benković, Bjiol, Guessand; Palumbo; Nestorovski, Pafundi. Coach: Sottil. 

Referee: Marinelli from Tivoli.
Gol: 2' Becão (U), 11' pen. Hernández (M), 15' Rebić (M), 45+4' Masina (U), 46' Díaz (M), 67' Rebić (M)
Booked: 10' Soppy (U), 34' Krunić (M), 34' Becão (U), 55' Pérez (U), 92' Ebosele (U)

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