Chukwueze Endures Quiet Night as Rossoneri Suffer Shock Defeat

AC Milan’s Serie A season got off to a disappointing start with a 2–1 home defeat to Cremonese at San Siro, and Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze was unable to inspire the Rossoneri to victory. It was a tough night at the San Siro for AC Milan and a jagged welcome to the 2025–26 season. Despite holding plenty of possession and dominating wide areas, Milan lost to newly promoted Cremonese, thanks to an early header from Federico Baschirotto and a stunning overhead kick by Federico Bonazzoli.

AC Milan’s only goal in their shock 2–1 Serie A opening-day defeat to Cremonese came from Strahinja Pavlović, who headed home a clever chip from Pervis Estupiñán just before halftime to cancel out Federico Baschirotto’s opener, but the Rossoneri were undone in the second half by Federico Bonazzoli’s stunning overhead kick which sealed the visitors’ famous win at San Siro.

Chukwueze was introduced only in the second half, as Milan pushed hard for control. Yet his entry came too late, and the rhythm of his game never found its spark. With his electric pace and trickery keeping defenders honest, Chukwueze offered fleeting promise, but no key passes or shots on target followed to turn pressure into production. Milan’s intensified attacking moves were met time and again by Cremonese’s goalkeeper Emil Audero.

The defeat adds pressure on both Milan and Chukwueze, who has been linked with a possible exit this summer as the club reportedly values him at around €20 million. For a player in need of confidence and consistency after a difficult 2024/25 season, the opener was a missed opportunity to reassert himself, leaving questions about his role in Massimiliano Allegri’s plans moving forward.

Oluwadamilare Joseph

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