AC Milan kick off their Serie A campaign against Cremonese at the San Siro on Saturday. Having struggled last season, the Nerazzurri will be keen to make a statement in their opening game against the newly promoted side.
AC Milan endured a season to forget last term, finishing eighth and missing out on European football. However, they did show some quality in the cup competitions, winning the Italian Super Cup and reaching the final of the Coppa Italia.
Manager Massimiliano Allegri returned this summer and has overseen a shake-up in the squad, with Tijjani Reijnders departing and veteran midfielder Luka Modric among the arrivals. The Rossoneri were unbeaten in three of their five preseason matches and claimed a 2-0 home victory over Bari in the Coppa Italia first round last weekend.
Cremonese returned to the top flight after a two-year absence, having edged Spezia 3-2 on aggregate in the Serie B play-off final. They have done some business in the transfer market, recruiting AC Milan duo of Warren Bondo and Filippo Terraciano on loan till the end of the season.
Davide Nicola’s men do not head into the season opener in good form as they have failed to win three of their last four matches. They were beaten on penalties by Palermo in the Coppa Italia first round following a 0-0 draw in normal time.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Milan
AC Milan have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 1/3 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Cremonense is valued at 6/1 while a draw is set at odds of 15/4.
Head to head: History on Milan’s side
AC Milan have a 6-2 advantage with four draws from 12 previous matches against Cremonese. The Rossoneri are unbeaten in the last five matches, with the most recent clash back in 2023 ending in a 1-1 draw.
Players to watch: Pulisic on a mission
With Rafael Leao sidelined with a calf injury, all eyes are on Christian Pulisic. The American got off the mark in Milan’s Coppa Italia opener against Bari and can be backed to score on Saturday (Christian Pulisic anytime goalscorer – 7/5 with BoyleSports).
Manuel De Luca led Cremonense with 10 Serie B goals last season and will be keen to carry that form into the top flight. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on to find the net at the San Siro (Manuel De Luca anytime goalscorer – priced at 7/2).
Probable line-ups:
Leao is the major absentee for Milan and Santiago Gimenez is expected to lead the line, with Pulisic providing support. Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic should line up in defence while summer signings Pervis Estupinan and Ardon Jashari could also be handed starts.
Nicola could go with Emil Audero in goal for Cremonese, with Filippo Terracciano set to face his parent club. Alessio Zerbin and Michele Collocolo should also get starting berths, with De Luca and Federico Bonazzoli up front.
AC Milan: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Jashari, Loftus-Cheek, Estupinan; Pulisic, Gimenez
Cremonese: Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Zerbin, Collocolo, Grassi, Vandeputte, Pezzella; De Luca, Bonazzoli
Anything else catch the eye?
AC Milan have led at the break in two of their last three matches (AC Milan halftime win – valued at odds of 5/6 with BoyleSports). The Rossoneri have also scored in both halves in three of their last five matches (AC Milan to score in both halves – priced at 21/20).
With a straight victory for AC Milan priced at minimal odds, a win and over 2.5 goals offers more value (AC Milan win & over 2.5 goals – available at 21/20.
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