Yesterday evening, AC Milan started their 2026/27 campaign with a strong 2-1 win against Torino away from home, a near-perfect start.
When Milan were drawn against Torino on the first match day of the season, there were certainly a few fears. Indeed, you’d worry with the club’s record on the first day in recent years – especially after the defeat to Cremonese last year – but there needn’t have been.
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The Rossoneri looked comfortable for most of the game, grabbing two goals midway through the second half through Alphadjo Cisse and Adrien Rabiot. However, they began to look leggy after the 75th minute.
Che Adams did get a goal back for the hosts, with a lovely strike, but it was too late to have any real concerns. A solid performance overall and three points in the bag to start the season. Here are five things we’ve learned.
1. Amorim’s Milan has arrived
It’s only the first game of the season, but we must start with a bit of praise for the new manager, who has transformed this team in a very short period of time. A display completely separated from Massimiliano Allegri’s sluggish side from last season.
The Rossoneri seemed to be in total control in the first 75 minutes and whilst they were still missing a little bit of sharpness up front, they did well to pressure their opponents high up the pitch, effectively neutralising them completely, with Mike Maignan having a quiet evening.
At the same time, we saw some good, quick ball movement at the back which allowed the Diavolo to transition from defence to offence quite well on numerous occasions.
If you were used to watching Milan last season, this game clearly highlighted how much Amorim has changed and what he demands from his players – lots of movement, intensity and directness.
His side did need 64 minutes to open the scoring, but they followed the opener with more pressure, which resulted in a second goal just four minutes later. With that, they were more confident to step off the gas for a bit and defend their lead in the final quarter of the game.
In fairness, Amorim’s players seemed fatigued in the 15 minutes that followed – which is to be expected given the high intensity before that – so, the conditioning will probably improve in the future. Additionally, depth will help as some players are still not at full fitness.
Overall, it was a new and exciting Milan in Turin, a place where the Rossoneri have struggled in recent years. Nevertheless, they were by far the better side this time around and showed what this Amorim side will be all about.
2. Musah and Chukwueze finding their place, at last
Yunus Musah and Samuel Chukwueze spent last season on loan. So, the expectation was for them to be sold this summer. Yet, Amorim had other plans, with the duo fitting into his system nicely.
The Nigerian spent last year at Fulham, where he had some good performances and was fine with the tempo of the Premier League. So it’s not surprising that he worked really hard in both phases of the game, despite his defensive contribution not being the most impressive.
As well as this, Chukwueze finally has a manager that wants to open up space down the flank and allow the wing-backs to be more direct and create chances. This is something the Nigerian does very well, as seen both in pre-season and against Torino – and probably not since his Villarreal days.
An assist for Rabiot and the solid overall display were enough for Chukwueze to receive the Player of the Match award and fans can finally be a bit more excited about him.
Musah, on the other hand, spent last season on loan at Atalanta, and if we stop to think, we’d probably conclude that it makes sense for Amorim to keep the American.
The midfield has always been hard-working, which is perfect for the high intensity that the new coach wants to see in his players. Furthermore, Musah can carry the ball forward quickly after the Rossoneri escape from the press of their opponents.
In this new formation, he releases the ball much earlier to either the attacking midfield or the flank, which keeps him further from the final third, which has been an area where the American has left much to be desired. Perhaps we forget he is only 23 years of age and has some room for improvement.
It just looks like the perfect manager has arrived to help the midfield get to the next level.
3. Usual suspects disappoint
Pervis Estupinan and Ruben Loftus-Cheek both started the game; somehow it’s not really a surprise that they both disappointed.
The Englishman had some good moments in pre-season; that can’t be denied. But in Serie A, where a low block is so prominent, he can’t really shine, given he is more of a box-to-box midfielder. Unfortunately, he lacks the technique to break such defences.
On the flip side, there is Christian Pulisic and Rabiot who can play in that position, or even Diego Moreira, but it does not seem like the Englishman will be getting that starter spot once all the players are fit.
Estupinan was also quite poor; he did little in attack and failed to combine with Cisse. At the same time, he was probably the weakest link in the Diavolo’s defence.
The Ecuadorian was another player rumoured to leave, but the management and Amorim have since decided to keep him. One has to imagine that he will be on the bench more often than not, unless he magically starts improving.
4. A breath of fresh air
Goncalo Ramos might not have scored in his official debut, but it was a breath of fresh air to have a mobile striker up front that presses efficiently and leads the front line.
The Portuguese dropped deeper on multiple occasions and helped his side break the opposition, whilst also pressing high. When Milan lost the ball, he instructed his teammates to press more efficiently – in other words, he did exactly what Amorim wants.
His efforts helped keep the pressure on Torino’s back line, which in turn meant that the hosts were unable to structure their attacks and threaten Milan.
To be fair to him, he didn’t really get a lot of service in terms of goal-scoring opportunities, so we can’t judge him there. Saying that, he will only get better from here as he continues to adapt to both Amorim’s system and the league.
5. Duo coming in clutch
Cisse was another player expected to leave during the summer, but the combination of Amorim’s trust and the positive displays in preseason have resulted in the youngster earning himself a spot in the squad. A starting XI spot, though, is a bit of a shock!
Despite that shock, Cisse took the most of the opportunity. After a shaky first half – where he could’ve done a bit better on a couple of occasions – he improved in the second half and scored the opener.
Combining a lovely first touch in the penalty box with a well-placed finish to beat the keeper, it was a really impressive goal, showing both technical abilities and football IQ to go for the curling shot in the far corner.
So whilst Milan were on the market for an attacking midfielder, they might’ve just found one perfect solution within their own ranks. It will be exciting to follow the youngster throughout the season as it feels like this is only the beginning.
All of these positives wouldn’t have been a reality if it wasn’t for Adrien Rabiot, who made such a large impact from the bench.
The Frenchman missed pretty much all of preseason as he was on a much-needed holiday following the World Cup, and with lots of rumours surrounding his future and his relationship with the club, he responded in the best way possible.
Just seven minutes after coming on, he provided an assist for the opener and four minutes after that, he imposed himself in the penalty box and scored the Diavolo’s second goal with a lovely volley. Arguably Milan’s best player last season, he started the new campaign in the same fashion. Impressive.
Let’s be honest anything was going to be better than Allegriball… Yesterday Napoli sat back inviting Genoa to press them and had to rely on stand out moments from KDB Vergara and the ref… so glad he missed CL last season… We’ll see what happens with Amorim but after yesterday’s performance I’m more hopeful than I was…
Lucky you didn’t SAY you stopped supporting Milan, you are just glad they failed to qualify for the Champions League…….
Unlike you, we stay supporting Milan through thick or thin
Even if Milan hadn’t won the match on Sunday I would have been relieved for NOT being forced to watch the miserable Allegriball for another season.
Even the (goalless) first 60 minutes we’re much more enjoyable to watch than that dreadful antifootball Allegri made us watch (and suffer). Thank God he’s gone!!!
And I think I already have to take my words back on Amorim. He has managed to completely change the team and it’s performance on the pitch in such a short period of time. I’m seriously impressed. Well done. But let’s see if Juve & Lazio matches come too soon. They’re the real test here.
so refreshing to see attacking high pressing football after the snoozefest from the terrorist.
Next game :
chuck- musah – Jashari – Morreira
———Rabiot —– Cisse————–
————–Ramos———————
What we learned is that Milan needs at least 1 more defender signed in these last few days of the mercato, ideally 2. Milan have only 4 reliable CBs for 3 spots, and 2 of those 4 (Gabbia and De Winter) can only play in the middle of the Amorim’s high line defense. If something happens to Gila or Pavlovic, Milan are in trouble. BTW Gila has not been able to finish the last 2 games he played for Milan. That CB department is paper thin and its 1 significant injury away from watching Terracciano or Diawara play.
CBs and another striker are way more important needs than attacking midfielders. Milan is playing in 3 competitions and in those 2 departments Milan have the least options currently.
I never rated Tomori as a defender but Milan can do much worse than him as a backup behind Gila.
Forget Brahim Diaz or Soule, get defenders and a striker.
De Winter was a RCB on the last match
You mean the last 15 minutes after Gila got subbed out and Torino was destroying Milan’s right side of the defense? You proving my point. Also, go watch him last season when he played on the right instead in the middle. He doesn’t have the speed to play there, especially in high line defense.
On point # 2. Musah and Chukwueze finding their place, at last, I think the latter we could probably say that’s true. I think Musah is playing because he’s more fit right now as he has a longer preseason than the other more quality players. I’m assuming when the dust settles that Rabiot would occupy Musah’s spot and Pulisic would take RLC’s spot. I know it’s the first game but color me impressed. I’m more optimistic for this season. Let’s hope it goes well 🙂
I think RLC did not dispel any misconceptions about him while Musah needs to be evaluated game by game. I like Rabiot more forward and direct. As for Puli, I’m actually curious how he fits in and who he plays well with in that attack.
Whatever position Pulisic fills, he’ll be one of our best and key figures. He’s built for this kind of Amorim high pressing system. Can’t wait to have him back.
💯
Imagine Rabiot & Pulisic terrorizing the opponent and feeding Ramos while at it. It will be beautiful.
I think Rabiot will stay upfront in the attacking midfield role. We have depth in the pivot roles. Suspect Amorin likes at least 1 if not both the CAM roles to be more of a midfield player than “second striker” player profiles.
For the press when the opposing defenders have the ball.
What depth exactly?
Pulisic will go in instead of Cisse, and Rabiot instead of RLC.
It will be silly to drop rabbiot back to midfield after what we’ve seen. The midfield has musah, modric, jashari, ricci and comotto all fighting for just two slots. Rabbiot will play d left footed 10 role this season and pulisic with come in for cisse. The boy is good but still raw. He will get better though and I will so love that cos his confidence is top notch
Interesting to read most people are saying Rabiot for the more forward position. I’m so used to having him in that “Allegri role” further back. Not mad at the idea though as long as we get protection in midfield. The problem is who as I don’t really trust Musah and Modric to do that work together. Let’s see how or if it all comes together
Not sure I agree with the overreactions from 1 game.
Cisse right up until the goal I thought had a poor game. Squandered many opportunities with poor passes and poor shots. I like his energy and it was a good finish but one strike doesn’t erase the rest of the game.
Also the relentless hate for RLC on here is so unwarranted. He was not bad. Not great either. He hooked up well with Chuk and created some chances in the early part of the match. Faded in the second half but for him to be singled out is absurd. How was Jashari any better in this match? Or Ramos? Or Modric who did not impress when he came in. You can’t tell me they played a better match than RLC. People incapable of being objective here.
Happy with the win and anything is better than watching Allegri ball but I don’t think this was a very good performance with the exception of Chuku and Rabiot. Outside of the 3 minute period where they scored the 2 goals, they didn’t create a whole lot. It was nice that they controlled the match and didn’t really give up much until the end. I think getting Pulisic back and Rabiot back in the starting 11 should help create more chances.
They all played better than RLC. He wasn’t horrible but he was almost useless this game.
Rlc is not fit for this system. Maybe against big teams though where he gets lots of space to run and move. But near d final third, his vision is not so good. He is a runner. If there is need for another AM he shud be sold. Rabbiot’s vision created d first goal. Rlc wud never have seen cisse there. He had a okay game but truth be told, I see him on d bench soon. He can’t displace rabbiot
You’re something else eh. You just like to go against the grain. Every season you complain that everyone else lack optimism for the team and we’re “negative”, telling you it’s still early in the season (eventually proven correct btw given the results at the end of each season). This season everyone else is optimistic and have hopes for the season, thinking you’d be on board and what do you do….go the opposite way lol 😂 The one time we’d thought you’d be happy most ppl are on board with the decisions made by your lovely management haha 😂. You either just hate to see ppl happy or just have to have a different take lol 😂 😂 😂
PS everyone except you and maybe Savio has the same take on trash that is RLC. Same thing each year, 1 good game in 5, let’s hope he saves his annual good game for the derby.
Right, that’s why every coach that Milan has had thinks he’s a useful player for the team. It’s only injuries that have kept him off the pitch. But I’m sure they don’t know as much as you do.
Facts! And then they all realize the fraud that he is and benches him later in the season when he finally becomes fit again. Left that part out about our preseason-GOAT!
Serie A is too easy for Donyell Malen.
Healthy Dybala is the best player in the league
Malen and Gasperini were made for each other.
Just give Gasperini players he wants and he’ll cook good.
I don’t think there is a lot to learn just yet.
Sure, winning is always nice and we looked way better than most of last season (which doesn’t say much), but we mostly played with a “B side” against a Torino which we have no idea of their actual strenght. Is Torino this season a good team or Venezia level team ? We don’t know.
I do think we still need some other players and we do need to sell/loan some of our current players.
I have to agree with you. There’s a lot to learn still about this team including what our best 11 will be. The overall attacking and pressing trend is undeniable and is refreshing after last season.
My concern is playing this style of game against a rapid counterattacking team with fast attackers and how well we’ll do in transition. Torino has been sticky for us but ultimately they are a mid table classic.
Agreed as usual! I’m cautiously optimistic. There are still alot of unanswered questions. And tbh we still don’t have the personnel for a 3421. We actually don’t have CAMs or LF/RF to play in the 2 spot. Sure we can slot RLC or Pulisic there but there’s not true types for the position. While the one bright spot is obviously Chuk, we all know Serie A coaches adapt quickly and I just hope Amorim has a solution when inevitably Chuckie gets doubles up. Presumably this is where Moreira comes in. Truth be told, I dont know much about the guy (although Transfermarkt has him as the best LM of all leagues….quite interesting that). Apparently all other milan fans were keeping an eye on him except me based on the positive comments lol 😂😂😂. Anyways, I think ppl were just tired of the dinosaur football Allegri plays and was refreshing to see something different. Let’s hope it can continue longer term. Cautiously optimistic 🤞
1. I learned that I can enjoy watching Milan play. Thanks coach.
2. Jashari has a much higher ceiling that folks are giving him credit for. High work rate, fearless long passes and Modric influence on making himself available is becoming clear.
3. Leao could play in this system if he is not sold. Cisse was often quite wide and working in. Not something I want to see but something worth trying if we don’t get the right price.
4. Our defense needs help, but it’s not another player exactly. (We do need one for depth however). Ball wide was clearly confusing the WB and CB on positioning. This is an area I am looking for the coach to improve on immediately.
5. Cisse, Pulisic, Rabiot, Saelmakers, Moreira, Leao, RLC – we don’t need another AM. We need that CB depth unless we are looking at Bartesaghi for it (I like that option). If Barts to CB then we need another WB for the left so Estupinan can rest (for a long long time)
Leao can’t play in this system.
We need another CB and a good one as well, not just for depth.
We need another AMC too, Bartesaghi is not reliable at all (to put it mildly), we don’t need another LWB, we have Diego and Saelemaekers beside DB who’s not going to be moved /switched to the LCB position.
AM is d position we don’t need at all. We have lots of players who can play there, even modric or chili if needed. We need a CB and that’s all. Leao can fit in this system but he needs to learn from this window’s situation to actually see he is not the star he thought he was. If he brings down his pride and is open to learning and working hard for the coach, he can play as a 10 or backup sticker to Ramos. Camarda is still too young. Else, I see leao eventually landing in a team like Sunderland or Saudi soon.wasted career it wud be
Just sign another CB and a 9 and close the market. This team will do just fine.
What about AMRC?
Well I thot out of the 5 things we learnt from that match was for milan to quickly open the cheque book and get alieu njie of torino before the season goes far and we cant afford him by jan that guy is good and will be a perfect replacement for leao.
That’s true
Another thing we learned from last match is that we don’t Leao in this system. And surely we don’t need his replacement.
One thing I’ve learned, or at least it’s a hypothesis for me: I was very angry at Allegri for missing the CL by one miserable point… one draw we needed, and still he wouldn’t be courageous enough to allow the team to attack so instead of drawing just one additional miserable games and make the CL, we failed.
But now I’m thinking, was missing the CL really a bad thing?
First of all, let’s acknowledge that Milan wouldn’t go deep into the CL anyway even if we had made it, especially with Allegri still in charge.
Second, most likely Allegri wouldn’t have been dismissed, had we quaified. We’d then have another miserable season, fail to advance deep in the CL, and perform poorly in Serie A as well, not to forget we’d die of boredom watching Allegri Ball.
Third, Gerry Cardinale would have been content and would have continued to operate the same way, with that cap on not hiring players for more than 20-25K transfer fee, relying on the same incompetent managers, and so on.
Instead, when we missed the CL for the second time in a row, Cardinale seems to have finally waken up. He fired Allegri, fired other incompetent managers, and actually opened up his pocket, listened to the new head coach (which does seem to be a decent coach despite his failure with ManU), an coughed up money for three very good signings, Gila, Ramos and Moreira, for transfer fees way higher than what he had been allowing before.
And the huge exodus we were fearing by missing the CL again, didn’t even materialize. Maignan stayed. Rabiot stayed. Modric stayed. We are getting rid of some dead weight and no very good player has been sold yet, one week before the end of the mercato.
Maybe Leão will still get sold. Part of the fan base will love that. I won’t, necessarily, although I do realize that his time with us seems to be over and not even the player wants to stay (I also acknowledge that he is no longer the same player he was at the time of the Scudetto and the Theão partnership).
But even if one is a Leão fan and believes that he performed so poorly last season in part due to three injuries, and in part due to a system that didn’t fit his skills and a coach that wasn’t ideal for him, would Leão have stayed anyway if Allegri had also stayed? Doubtful.
So maybe paradoxically, we ended up better than before after (and because of) missing the CL. We all feared banter years 2.0 with massive exodus, and no good player willing to join us. Actually the opposite happened. Three good players joined and no essential player left (at least, so far).
It’s early, very early, maybe no conclusions can be validly proposed yet, but after the last friendly and the first Serie A game, we do look better than before (which is not setting the bar too high, anyway, but still) and Amorim ball seems to be a net improvement over Allegri ball.
So I wonder if missing the CL was actually benefitial to AC Milan.
Does anybody else share this hypothesis?
Missing out on UCL was a blessing! For real. Imagine having to endure Furlani rejecting all the good purchases and watching Milan defend for 95% of the time while sitting back and waiting for that one mistake by the opponent no matter who that opponent was. Fck, I honestly would have lost my will to live if Allegri had stayed.
So, we’re not in the UCL this season? Well, neither is Juve. And missing out on that will improve the team and the club. Already has. Now we actually can have a good future. That wouldn’t have been the case with Allegri.
Interesting take. I largely agree even though I’m all for “winning” in the sense of it was a failure to miss out on UCL spots. But if that meant the kick up the derriere that Gerry needed so be it. So far so good. We can only be hopeful. Still a very long way to go but I think the terrible football from last season by Allegri has surely caused some ptsd from us fans lol.
That’s a longwinded way to just say you were wrong about Allegri.
I was saying this when Milan were still fight for 1st place and all of you were gushing over a “real coach” Allegri. Some lucky results while creating such few chances was never going to be sustainable. You can’t move forward with a coach who is so backwards thinking. More players probably stayed precisely BECAUSE Allegri is gone. On top of that it was completely unwatchable and sports is suppose to be entertainment. I don’t care if we won the league I would’ve wanted him gone. I weep for the Napoli fans. If Serie A wants to be taken seriously they need to stop recycling these old dinosaur coaches.
I’m actually glad he joined Napoli. I hope he does to them what he did to us. And then he should move on to Inter next. 💩😂
I have not renewed my subscription for BeIN Sport or Stan (for the European matches) and I probably won’t unless Gabbia and Bartesaghi start being given regular starts.
For 40 years there was always someone at Milan who I could identify with. That number has rapidly shrunk this century but there was at least one De Sciglio, one Calabria, one Milanista who I could identify with.
Gabbia and Bartesaghi filled that role last season.
That team starting on the weekend could have been playing in any league, in any place, on earth.
To add insult to injury Bartesaghi is once again having to prove himself over Estupiñán who was given yet another chance to prove himself.
The entire midfield was made up of foreign players who have all been given muliple chances to prove themselves – Estupiñán, Musah, Jashari, Chukwueze and RLC.
Could you imagine Milan showing this level of patience with their youth players?
I’m sick of it. I’ll follow Monza this season (who have also dropped Cutrone despite his efforts to help them get promoted).
Serie A just sucks. Modern football just sucks. it’s pointless.
I bet your fun at parties…
Also, I think De Sciglio is married, he’s not going to be your boyfriend, move on
And I bet you show up at parties with randomers who have no connection with….
You identify with bums.
De Sciglio quit on Milan because he couldn’t handle the pressure of being a Milan player and left for Juventus where he played only because his daddy Allegri was there. He is 33 years old and has been retired for over a year.
Meanwhile the other player you identify with isn’t even good enough to play in serie A . He plays for a midtable team in the Greek league.
Cutrone isn’t even good enough to start for possibly the worst team in serie A.
Isn’t there a SempreMonza platform?
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Good riddance. You won’t be missed. Mostly because you are still going to be here whining every week, regardless.
” I’ll follow Monza this season”
Oh thank God. Now we don’t have to hear you bicker about the same thing you despise: lack of loyalty from fans. Good riddance! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. And don’t be coming back here making snide comments to the other real fans who stick by their team no matter what. Last year you supported Como who had zero Italians. What a waste of air.
The club currently passing itself off as having a connection to Milan have won just 3 Scudetti this century and are currently a total non-entity in Europe.
So how exactly have the thousands of players the club replaced those three ‘failures’ with improved things?
And here we go again – oh so excited about yet another iteration of “AC Milan” before the inevitable collapse and these latest victims being listed “failures”.
And at no point do you idiots question the system that is failing.
Real Madrid started 11 non-Spanish players last season. I bet all real Real fans are boycotting the club and trying to find their own Como, eh?
The world has changed. Not just our Milan. Not just Italy. How about the “best in class” EPL? How many English players are starters for each EPL club? They’re the minority there as well.
But sure, keep fighting the windmills. That’s what you’ve been doing and will probably do until you do. Oh, how’s the fight against all player transfers and most specifically loan deals going? Making any progress? Forza Como!!! 💩
Us idiots? LOL. That’s thich coming from you. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
*thick
Thanks Ivan for demanding some respect for Musah and Jashari in the engine room in the middle. People like to pretend Musah isn’t younger than Jashari.
They both should have a lot to provide this midfield allowing more attacking players (even Modric and Rabiot to play further up while providing pressure defensively and the ability to breaking through pressure offensively via pass or dribble.
Min 64: Last season there was no such thing as an attack against an unset defense but musah beats two men creating a 5 on 4. That first goal was exactly what has been missing, chances against a scrabbling defense. The player who makes the pass to the assist is always painfully underrated. Reijnders led the team in that type of play the year before he started adding assists and goals himself and the squad had their best season in years…
first 60 seconds of the match. went from stuck in out own corner to 4 defenders being beaten by musah leading to a 3v3 and very good opportunity on goal…
32 min…Musah hits a perfect switch of field to chuck leading to a fantastic chance…
Musah seems like one of the first guys on the team sheet for Amorim and he showed why this game…
People are influenced by how the media talks of a players…despite his pre-season and this start to the season, many outlets without access at Milan will say someone else will join the starting 11 and then blame any loses on the fact that Musah started instead and not give him nearly enough credit for wins like this one.
I hope you are on top of that…I know you have to report certain starting 11s from important papers but it doesn’t mean you can’t make a couple points about what you are seeing too…the best way to do this would be in grades following the game, for example, Fofana would get a default 6s after a game where he wasn’t very involved, Musah would get 5s if he wasn’t heavily involved. Little things like that go a long way.
Thanks for listening. Big start to the year. Love the way Amorim has them playing…Especially the flexibility created by being able to play different styles of players in the AM positions to add more defense or combine different styles of players…Musah next to Rabiot with Modric and Pulisic in front of them. The new wingback on left with chuk on the right with maekers and estepian as backups…plenty of guys on the bench who can come in as a difference makers…
Jashari is the forever kid. Milan fans will talk how “the kid” will come good 2 years from today. “This is his season.” While shi*ting on players that show more and are younger. 😂
200+millions spent, ”amorim managed to change in short time”
And still there are over ten millions just sitting in crowds becouse milan try to sell them overprized.
Bankrupt to be seen in next few years. Sad tough
2-1 win against tim like torino is not good enough!
A win is a win. Beats losing to relegation teams like last season.
In our last 6 meetings with Torino, we have only won 3.
Torino won 2 and we drew 1.
We have won by more than 1 goal on only 1 occasion during this period, and that was far back as 2023.
The match confirmed the need to sign an additional center back before the transfer market closes, given that relying on 3 defenders in Amorim plan requires substitutes of the same quality as the starters to avoid fatigue and tactical gaps in big matches.