AC Milan opened their Serie A title defence with a rollercoaster 4-2 victory over Udinese at San Siro on Saturday, as Ante Rebic scored twice to help the champions come from behind in an end-to-end thriller.
Rodrigo Becao headed Udinese in front after two minutes, but a Theo Hernandez penalty and Rebic strike completed Milan’s comeback by the 15-minute mark.
Adam Masina equalised for the visitors on the brink of half time, but Diaz scored 30 seconds into the second half to restore Milan’s lead before Rebic’s second goal of the night made the three points safe.
Milan’s blockbuster summer signing Charles De Ketelaere made his highly-anticipated debut from the bench in the second half and showed some nice touches before having a goal disallowed, while Divock Origi was also given his first run-out in a Rossoneri shirt late on.
San Siro was in festival mood for the opening game of a new campaign, but the party atmosphere was soon dampened when Becao nodded in at the near post from a corner with less than two minutes played.
It was an immediate test of the champions’ mettle, but they were quickly handed a route back into the game when referee Livio Marinelli awarded the hosts a penalty for a challenge on Davide Calabria following a review of the VAR monitor.
Hernandez dispatched the spot kick, and just three minutes later Milan turned the game on its head when Rebic steered in a shot from a Calabria cross.
Pioli’s side settled into the game once they had the lead, despite some warning signs on the counter-attack, and Udinese’s equaliser came against the run of play when Masina capitalised on some uncharacteristically dozy defending as his diving header flew past Mike Maignan.
However, all of Udinese’s hard work was undone within 30 seconds of the second half starting when Masina failed to deal with a cross to the back post, inadvertently knocking into the path of Diaz for a tap-in.
The home crowd’s nerves were settled when the tenacious Diaz pinched the ball off Roberto Pereyra in the Udinese box and teed up Rebic for an easy finish from six yards.
De Ketelaere’s debut enlivened the San Siro crowd once more, as the 21-year-old Belgian displayed some nice passing and footwork and even found the back of the net with a low shot, although the goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
TALKING POINT – DIAZ AND REBIC GIVE PIOLI A WELCOME HEADACHE
With the defence looking settled following their heroics in last season’s title win, Pioli’s most intriguing decisions will be around how he chooses to stitch his attack together.
For the opening day, the coach opted to go with the tried and trusted by picking veterans of last season’s title win: Rebic, Diaz, Leao and Messias.
Of them all, Diaz is probably the player with the most to prove, given the competition he will face for the No.10 spot this season from €37m man De Ketelaere, but the Spaniard responded to the challenge with an eye-catching performance.
His night ended with one assist and one goal to his name, but Diaz’s all-round game and tenacity impressed, with the attacking midfielder linking up well with his team-mates and constantly pressuring Udinese defenders.
Rebic’s performance will also be cause for encouragement, as the Croatian scored his first home goal since April 2021. And then his second.
The 28-year-old’s brace means he has already matched his league tally from all of last season, and he looks ready to be a viable centre-forward option to compete with Origi, Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Pioli has some decisions to make.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – ANTE REBIC
Although he’s often used on the left wing, Rebic showed he has what it takes to lead the line in times of need with a superb centre-forward performance.
His first goal required control and calm, while the second showed some penalty box poacher instincts.
But it wasn’t just about ending his long San Siro goal drought; the Croatian stretched the defence, linked up well with the rest of the attack, and suggested that his encouraging pre-season form was no fluke.
PLAYER RATINGS
AC Milan: Maignan 6, Calabria 8, Kalulu 7, Tomori 6, Theo Hernandez 7; Bennacer 7, Krunic 6; Messias 6, Diaz 8, Leao 6; Rebic 9. Subs: Saelemaekers 6, De Ketelaere 7, Giroud 6, Pobega N/A, Origi N/A
Udinese: Silvestri 5; Becao 7, Perez 6, Nuytinck 6; Soppy 7, Pereyra 7, Walace 7, Makengo 6, Masina 7; Deulofeu 7, Success 6. Subs: Ebosse 6, Beto 6, Lovric 6, Samardzic 7, Ebosele N/A
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
2’ – GOAL! (Becao) Udinese come out on the attack and soon win a corner. It’s swung into the near post and Becao is there to nod it in! San Siro stunned from the start.
12’ – GOAL! (Hernandez) The referee awards Milan a penalty following a pitchside VAR review, after Calabria was caught in the box by Soppy. Hernandez steps up to take the spot kick, and the bleached blonde-haired Frenchman sends Silvestri the wrong way.
15’ – GOAL! (Rebic) A superb response from Milan, who go in front with a well-worked goal. Diaz feeds Calabria on the right, and his low whipped cross picks out Rebic 12 yards out, who steers a shot past Silvestri.
45+4’ – GOAL! (Masina) On the brink of half-time, Udinese are back in it! Pereyra throws a cross into the box from the right wing and Masina meets it at pace with a diving header that flies into the bottom corner.
46’ – GOAL! (Diaz) Milan are level within about 30 seconds of the second half starting! Hernandez’s cross to the back post isn’t dealt with by Masina, who inadvertently knocks it back into the six-yard box for Diaz to tap in.
68’ – GOAL! (Rebic) Rebic gets his second of the night! Diaz shows great tenacity to pinch the ball off a defender, nicking it off Pereyra near the touchline, and the Spaniard picks out Rebic to fire home from six yards.
