AC Milan vs Cremonese: A New Season Kicks Off at San Siro

Here we go again! The first chapter of the 2025/26 Serie A season is about to be written, and for AC Milan, it starts right at home. After a solid win against Bari in the Coppa Italia, the Rossoneri are gearing up to face Cremonese, the latest team to earn their spot back in the top flight. The energy is buzzing, and with a sold-out San Siro roaring them on, it feels like the perfect way to kick things off.

Key Highlights

• ✓ Manager Massimiliano Allegri makes his second official debut in the dugout, nearly 15 years after his first.
• ✓ Rafa Leão is sidelined with a calf injury, paving the way for Santiago Gimenez to start up front with Christian Pulisic.
• ✓ New signing and Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modrić is poised to make an impact from the bench.
• ✓ Cremonese face a tough challenge, having lost all eight of their previous Serie A season openers.
• ✓ A packed San Siro of over 75,000 fans is expected, matching the electric atmosphere from the recent Coppa Italia win.

Rossoneri Roaring and Ready to Go

You can just feel the optimism around Milanello right now. The boys are coming off that Coppa Italia victory in front of a massive crowd of over 70,000, and it looks like we’re in for a repeat performance against Cremonese. The stadium is expected to be absolutely packed, which is exactly the kind of support you want for an opening league match.

The big news from the dugout is the return of Massimiliano Allegri. After sitting out the Bari match due to a suspension, he's back on the touchline for what’s being called his second official debut—almost 15 years after his first! Allegri himself admits there’s a lot of curiosity about the season ahead. He was quick to praise the fans, saying, "The fans are very important, and we're happy with the support we received against Bari."

A New-Look Attack and Bench Firepower

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. The team will be without the explosive Rafa Leão, who picked up a calf problem against Bari. That’s a definite blow, but it opens the door for Santiago Gimenez, who is expected to lead the line alongside the ever-dangerous Christian Pulisic in Allegri’s 3-5-2 setup. It will be fascinating to see how that partnership clicks from the get-go.

And what about the new faces? The bench is looking seriously strong with summer additions like Athekame, De Winter, Jashari, and of course, the legendary Luka Modrić. Having that kind of quality in reserve means Allegri has some incredible options to change the game if needed. The Croatian maestro, in particular, is a name everyone is dying to see in a Rossoneri shirt.

💡 Allegri's Philosophy: "Balance must prevail, and our objective is to play in the Champions League next year. You need to prove on the pitch, through action, that you have something extra."

A Look at the Opposition: Cremonese's Return

Over in the Cremonese camp, things are a bit different. They’re riding the high of that incredible playoff final victory over Spezia to get back into Serie A, but their pre-season has been a grind. The Grigiorossi managed just one friendly win and were knocked out of the Coppa Italia last weekend, losing a nail-biting penalty shootout to Palermo after a 0-0 draw.

However, they've made some shrewd moves in the transfer market. The arrival of striker Sanabria from Torino is a big one, and the Paraguayan is expected to start. Coach Davide Nicola seems likely to pair him with De Luca in a 4-4-2 formation. Nicola knows exactly what his team is up against, describing Milan as "high-quality, mature, well-drilled and strong." He's not wrong there!

Suspensions and Familiar Faces

Cremonese will be without three suspended players—Barbieri, Vázquez, and Valoti—which is a tough hand to be dealt for your first game back. On the flip side, a couple of their summer signings might ring a bell for Milan fans: Filippo Terracciano and Warren Bondo. Both former Rossoneri players are in the mix to start, which always adds a little extra spice to a match.

Milan will also need to keep a sharp eye on the Belgian playmaker Vandeputte, who was a key creative force for Catanzaro over the last few seasons. As their coach Davide Nicola put it, "...what matters is having the ambition to be able to gain [points] against anyone." It’s clear they aren’t coming to San Siro just to make up the numbers.

By the Numbers: History and Trends

When you look at the history books, this matchup definitely leans in Milan's favor. This will be the 17th Serie A meeting between the two clubs, with the Rossoneri holding a commanding lead of ten wins to Cremonese's two. Interestingly, the last two encounters back in the 2022/23 season both ended in draws, so nothing is a given.

The opening day stats are particularly stark. AC Milan have won four of their last five season openers, with only a 2-2 draw against Torino spoiling a perfect record. For Cremonese, it's a completely different story. They have lost all eight of their previous Serie A season openers, and all of them have been away from home. That’s a trend they’ll be desperate to break.

A Clash of Comeback Kings and Shooting Stars

Here's a fun little stat: last season, AC Milan were the comeback kings of Serie A, earning the most points from losing positions with a whopping 22. Cremonese showed similar grit in Serie B, ranking third in that same category. Both teams have a fighting spirit, which could make for a dramatic contest if one side goes down early.

Stylistically, we could see a fascinating contrast. In 2024/25, a massive 95% of Milan’s goals came from inside the penalty box, showing their preference for patient, clinical build-up play. On the other hand, Cremonese attempted more shots than any other team in Serie B, suggesting they aren't afraid to have a go from anywhere. It's a classic battle of precision versus volume, and I can't wait to see which prevails.

Conclusion

So, as the curtain rises on a new season, we have a classic Serie A opener on our hands. AC Milan, powered by a roaring home crowd and the return of their coach, look to start their campaign on a high note. The potential debut of a modern legend like Luka Modrić only adds to the excitement. For Cremonese, it’s a trial by fire—a chance to prove they belong on the biggest stage against one of Italy’s giants. History and form favor Milan, but on opening day, anything can happen.