Milan conceded after 90 seconds, but the reigning champions came back to beat Udinese 4-2 with an Ante Rebic brace and sprightly Brahim Diaz.
The Rossoneri began the defence of their title without injured Sandro Tonali and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while Olivier Giroud and Divock Origi were only fit for the bench. Destiny Udogie was left out ahead of his transfer to Tottenham, while Tolgay Arslan was injured and Beto only ready for the bench.
It was the worst possible start for the reigning champions, as within 90 seconds Rodrigo Becao got his head to a Gerard Deulofeu corner at the near post to put Udinese in front.
They fought back, Marco Silvestri getting his fingertips to a Brahim Diaz low drive and Brandon Soppy colliding with Davide Calabria on the rebound, which led to a penalty using VAR, converted by Theo Hernandez.
Milan turned it all around moments later, Calabria shaking off that knock to provide the assist for Ante Rebic to sweep home.
Gerard Deulofeu was totally clear on goal after spinning away from Fikayo Tomori, but denied by a fantastic Pierre Kalulu block.
On the stroke of half-time, Udinese equalised when Adam Masina caught Junior Messias napping for a sensational diving header at the back post on Roberto Pereyra’s cross.
The second half was not even 60 seconds old when Milan equalised. A pair of defenders got into a tangle at the back post dealing with Theo Hernandez’s cross, so Brahim Diaz pounced on the loose ball.
Deulofeu’s first touch let him down in a very promising position, but Milan went 4-2 up when Messias and Brahim Diaz harassed Roberto Pereyra into an error in his own penalty area, the Spaniard setting up Rebic to fire into the roof of the net from eight yards.
Charles De Ketelaere made his Serie A debut for the final 20 minutes, while Rafael Leao fired just over after a mazy run and Lazar Samardzic stung Mike Maignan’s gloves from distance.
De Ketelaere had the ball in the net, but only after play had already been halted for offside.
Milan 4-2 Udinese
Becao 2 (U), Theo Hernandez pen 12 (M), Rebic 15, 68 (M), Masina 45 (U), Brahim Diaz 46 (M)
Maignan – 6
Theo – 7
Tomori – 5 (would’ve given 4 if not for being better in 2nd half – positionally woeful in 1st half)
Kalulu – 8 (MOTM)
Calabria – 5
Bennacer – 6.5
Krunic – 5
Leao – 4.5
Messias – 6.5
Diaz – 7
Rebic – 7.5
A good ending after a not so great start. I don’t expect a shutdown defense by Milan, but it was leakier than I would have expected against Udinese. Still, they battled back after settling down.
Great game. The team was a bit groggy but we dugin and got a result. Great game by Rebic, Diaz, Theo and Giroud. Bennacer was excellent. De Ketelaere looked BIGGER than I expected and very fast and skillful..very excited about this squad and this season.
FORZA Milan
Basta Poco
Vs Vicenza – first cross and they scored. Same today. Becao had 3 Milan players around him. And the 2nd cross for Mesina goal was horrific. But got better in second half. We were positionally rusty in the transitions. Desperately missed tonali and Kessie too.
Likewise @Rosario. Getting the points is all that matters. It’s the first day and worth remembering that Udinese have always been a tricky customer for us.
Milanista
Spot on. Bit of a payback for the Udogie handball last season.
Fatecisognare
That’s LORD pretending to be me, fella. I made fun of him for being a plastic gobbo and a venmo trader.
1 Italian player on Milan line up
Wow.
This is a disgrace to Italian football.
Udienese has more Italians on line up then Milan.
For all you experts on national Italian team wondering what going on with Italy not qualify for
World Cup 2 times In row. Your answer is look at the starting line up of Milan and at that at all serie A games tomorrow and you find your answer why Italy is done
and of course the first penalty of the season had to be awarded to Milan on the first match of the new season