Bicycle kick from Cremona upsets Milan at San Siro, Roma start with a win

If AC Milan fans were optimistic ahead of the new Serie A season because of the arrival of Luka Modric and the return of Massimiliano Allegri, they were wrong. At least, it seems so after the Rossoneri's opening league game of the season.

The Italian minnows and newcomers to the league, Cremonese, beat the Milan giants at San Siro 2-1 thanks to two Federicos: Baschirotto, who broke the deadlock, and Bonazzoli, who scored one of the most beautiful goals in Serie A history.

The "cunning fox" on Cremonese's bench, Davide Nicola, outsmarted Allegri, whose men wasted many chances, but netted only once over the centre-back Strahinja Pavlovic.

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On the other hand, at Stadio Olimpico, Gian Piero Gasperini debuted on Roma's bench with a win in a small derby against the Coppa Italia winners, Bologna, 1-0.

The Giallorossi's recent addition, the Brazilian Wesley Franca, scored the winner in the 53rd minute and slowly but surely started paying off for the Roman club.

The first half of the match at San Siro was "the clash of the defenders." The Rossoneri controlled the game from the start, Luka Modric "danced" in the midfield, Pervis Estupinan was very active on the left flank, and Santiago Gimenez was a constant threat.

Still, Massimiliano Allegri's men couldn't find the net.

Four minutes into the match, the Mexican striker hit the post, and 16 minutes later, his goal was ruled out for offside. And after you miss a lot, you usually get punished.

From their first and only chance in the opening 45 minutes, Cremonese broke the deadlock, thanks to their defender, Federico Baschirotto, one of the strongest footballers in Italy.

Milan's approach didn't change, but a shocking visitors' opener had planted a seed of doubt among the crowd at San Siro. However, it was quickly destroyed, seconds before the break.

Estupinan once again ran riot over the left side, crossing the ball in, and when the forward couldn't score, a centre-back had to step in!

Strahinja Pavlovic awaited the Ecuadorian's cross in the far post and headed it in, levelling the score in the last possible moment. Cremonese players argued that Alexis Saelemakers had made a foul in the process, but the VAR room remained mute.

The late equalizer gave the Rossoneri wings, as they threatened as many as four times in the opening ten minutes of the second half. Modric, Christian Pulisic, Youssouf Fofana, and Matteo Gabbia all tried to put the ball behind Emil Audero's back, but the experienced keeper didn't give in.

And then, a deja vu for the home crew happened, as Federico Bonazzoli scored one of the most beautiful goals in the past ten years in Serie A and probably already now a candidate for a Puskas Award! Baschirotto once again joined the attack and found Giuseppe Pezzella on the left flank. Cremonese full-back crossed the ball and Bonazzoli netted a genuine screamer with a spectacular bicycle kick!

Allegri tried to turn the tables by subbing in Samuel Chukwueze and the reinforcement from Cub Brugge Ardon Jashari, but little did it help his team, as Milan surprised their fans with an abysmal start to the new Serie A campaign.

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The situation in Rome was way different. The Giallorossi faced a much stronger opponent than Milan, and despite their seven shots, Bologna's net remained intact in the opening period. Evan Ferguson, Roma's recent acquisition from Brighton, wasted two decent chances, while Bryan Cristante hit the post.

On the other hand, Bologna were mostly in an inferior position, though they managed to score through their best player, Riccardo Orsolini, whose opener didn't stand due to offside.

Still, Roma's offensive hardships ended just minutes after the break, when their latest addition from Flamengo, Wesley, exploited Jhon Lucumi's massive error and broke the deadlock.

By the end of the game, Roma skillfully defended the lead and secured a victory on their new boss, Gian Piero Gasperini's debut on their bench. At the same time, the Wolfess managed to transfer the good form from the end of the previous season to the new Serie A edition, despite Claudio Ranieri's departure from the head coach position.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 1

Saturday

Genoa - Lecce 0-0

Sassuolo - Napoli 0-2 (0-1)

/McTominay 17, De Bruyne 57/

Milan - Cremonese 1-2 (1-1)

/Pavlovic 45+1 - Baschirotto 28, Bonazzoli 61/

Roma - Bologna 1-0 (0-0)

/Wesley 53/

Sunday

19.30: (3.25) Cagliari (3.35) Fiorentina (2.35)

19.30: (2.55) Como (3.35) Lazio (2.95)

21.45: (1.42) Atalanta (5.20) Pisa (7.50)

21.45: (1.45) Juventus (4.40) Parma (7.50)

Monday

19.30: (1.93) Udinese (3.50) Verona (4.50)

21.45: (1.43) Inter (4.50) Torino (7.50)

***odds are subject to change***