Milan started their pre-season with a 2-1 win away to FC Koln, secured by a fantastic early Olivier Giroud brace, to win the Telekom Cup.
Giroud drilled just wide and opened the scoring with a sensational goal. Ante Rebic started it by winning a tackle in midfield, spreading it for Junior Messias to a Rebic back-heel flick until Giroud dinked it delightfully over the on-rushing goalkeeper.
Ciprian Tatarusanu had to make a save from close range before Giroud made it 2-0 with a slightly deflected curler into the far top corner, sparked by the Pierre Kalulu counter-attack and Brahim Diaz assist.
Giroud almost got a hat-trick moments later, first trying to set up Rebic, then forcing a save on the rebound.
Milan, whose season starts later than Koln, looked shakier after the restart, with Tiemoue Bakayoko and Kalulu getting away with errors, but Yacine Adli came on and impressed with his fancy footwork forcing a tricky block.
FC Koln got a late consolation goal, as a Bright Arrey-Mbi header bounced off the crossbar, allowing Florian Dietz to turn in the rebound from a a Jonas Hector volley.
FC Koln 1-2 Milan
Giroud 16, 36 (M), Dietz 86 (K)
Milan: Tatarusanu (Mirante 46); Florenzi (Coubis 61), Kalulu (Michelis 61), Gabbia, Ballo-Touré (Bertesaghi 81); Bakayoko (Brescianini 75), Pobega (Robotti 81); Messias (Chaka Traore 61), Brahim Diaz (Adli 46), Rebic (Maldini 61); Giroud (Roback 61)