📢 Can Milan secure a commanding victory against the Serie A newcomers in their opening match? The game takes place at San Siro, where the Rossoneri aim to thrill their fans with a dynamic start. For the hosts, this is more than just a match; it's an opportunity to assert their ambitions for the season following a disappointing last campaign that saw them miss out on European competitions. Cremonese, having returned to the top flight through the playoffs, are well aware of the fierce competition in the top division. For the newcomers, such encounters are a formidable test: right from the first round, they face one of Italy's most decorated clubs in a packed stadium, where the pressure from the stands is always palpable.

Head-to-Head

📊 In the 21st century, AC Milan and Cremonese have faced each other only twice, both times in the 2022/23 Serie A season. Their first encounter in Cremona ended in a goalless draw (0-0), and later at San Siro, the hosts surprisingly couldn't secure a win, finishing with a 1-1 draw.

Milan Team Overview

🔴 Last season is one AC Milan would likely want to forget. They managed to clinch the Italian Super Cup and reached the final of the Coppa Italia, only to fall short against Bologna (0-1). However, they finished eighth in the league, missing out on European competitions. For a club of their stature, this was a significant blow to their prestige and ambitions.

📌 The preseason offered little clarity regarding Milan's form. The team alternated between triumphs and setbacks: they defeated the reigning English champions Liverpool (4-2) and thrashed Australian side Perth Glory (9-0), but also suffered losses to Arsenal (0-1) and were heavily beaten by Chelsea (1-4). Additionally, the Rossoneri kicked off their Coppa Italia campaign in the 1/32 finals, comfortably overcoming Bari (2-0), allowing them to enter the season without making major headlines.

🔁 AC Milan's summer transfer window sent a strong signal of their intent to bounce back from last season's disappointment. The board entrusted Massimiliano Allegri with the managerial role and allocated €111 million for squad reinforcements. The most expensive acquisition was 23-year-old Swiss defensive midfielder Ardon Jashari, who joined from Brugge for €36 million. This transfer aims to fortify the midfield and provide the balance the team sorely lacked last season.

Cremonese Team Overview

⚪ Last season, the "grey-reds" competed in Serie B, finishing in fourth place. This did not guarantee a direct promotion to the top flight, but the team successfully navigated through the playoffs. In the playoff final, Cremonese pulled off a surprise by defeating the favorites of the tie, Spezia. After a goalless draw at home, they secured an unexpected away victory (3-2), reclaiming their spot in Serie A.

📌 However, the preseason raised many questions. In friendly matches, Cremonese showed lackluster performances, including a heavy defeat to Torino (1-4). Additionally, the club made an early exit from the Coppa Italia: on August 16, they fell to Palermo in a penalty shootout (0-0 in regular time, 4-5 on penalties). All this suggests that the team is far from reaching their optimal form.

🔁 The club's transfer campaign also failed to impress. Despite spending around 15 million euros, the squad doesn't appear robust enough for the challenges of Serie A. Most signings can be described as average in quality, with only Antonio Sanabria's move from Torino for 2.5 million euros standing out as somewhat significant. However, the Paraguayan forward has not been known for consistency in recent seasons.

Latest news

Milan

📣 AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri emphasized that success in the upcoming season will be unattainable without the support of the tifosi: "To the fans, I want to say one thing: the most important thing is to work well every day. The only way to regain respect is through responsibility and results. Your presence and support will be vital for us."

🚫 Milan's only setback remains Rafael Leão. The Portuguese forward has sustained a calf injury and will miss the start of the season, with his return expected only at the beginning of September. The absence of this attacking leader significantly diminishes creativity and sharpness up front, as Leão is traditionally responsible for speed and unexpected moves in attack.

Cremonese

📣 Cremonese captain Matteo Bianchetti expressed his excitement about the club's return to the top flight and confidence in the team's potential: "I can't wait for us at 'Cremo' to step onto the Serie A pitch. The entire squad is energized and full of enthusiasm. This team deserves to play in the top division. Securing our place would be fantastic, and we're eager to start this journey." Bianchetti also highlighted the positive atmosphere within the squad despite a large influx of new players: "The lineup has been significantly refreshed, but an excellent group is forming. Many Italian players have joined, or those who've long played in Italy, so the adaptation process is smooth. We're striving to execute everything the coach demands on the field."

🚫 Cremonese find themselves in a much tougher situation than Milan. Three players—Tommaso Barbieri, Mattia Valoti, and Franco Vazquez—will miss the match due to suspensions carried over from last season for accumulating too many yellow cards. Additionally, Gianluca Saro's participation is doubtful as he recovers from a cruciate ligament injury. The team loses several experienced players, which significantly weakens their roster at the start of the championship.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

⚽️ Goal Prediction

AC Milan clearly outclass Cremonese, and it's unlikely they'll allow themselves to play as lackluster as they did in their head-to-head meetings two years ago. Statistics back up the Rossoneri's ability to break down opponents, especially after the break: in 6 of their last 7 home Serie A matches last season, the team scored in the second half. If Cremonese attempts a defensive strategy throughout the match, maintaining compactness and concentration for the full 90 minutes will be extremely challenging. It is highly probable that after the break, the hosts will manage to breach the visitors' defensive lines. We are betting on AC Milan to score in the second half.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Cremonese consistently earns corners on the road – in 15 of their last 16 matches, the team surpassed the mark of 3 corners. In Milan, the visitors will likely play on the counter and look for opportunities in quick transitions, which often result in set pieces. Yes, this streak was mainly built in Serie B, but the trend is telling: the "Gray and Reds" know how to turn rare attacks into corners. Therefore, betting on Cremonese's individual total corners over 2.5 seems justified.