Brahim Diaz's early goal was enough to earn AC Milan a 1-0 victory at Sampdoria in their opening match of the Serie A season on Monday.
2021/2022 Serie A
0-1
Match Report
The visitors got their campaign up and running quickly in Genoa after Diaz, who rejoined Milan on loan from Real Madrid for the next two seasons, squeezed the ball home after nine minutes to break the deadlock.
Both sides more chances in the first half, with new Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan making several fine stops to preserve his side's lead, although the pace slowed as the match wore on.
Close-season Milan signing Olivier Giroud did have two late opportunities to cap his debut with a goal, but Diaz's strike proved to be enough for Stefano Pioli's side.
The victory means Milan have now won 11 away Serie A games since the start of 2021, the joint-most in the top five European Leagues, level with Manchester City and Barcelona.
With champions and city rivals Inter Milan getting off to a flying start with a 4-0 over Sampdoria's local adversaries Genoa on Saturday, Milan had to make a statement of their own, as they chase a first Scudetto in a decade.
Pioli has had to start the new campaign without last season's top goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahamovic, who is out with a knee injury, but the Milan coach was able to blood another veteran striker up front – close season signing Giroud.
After Diaz had broken the deadlock, a shot home goalkeeper Emil Audero should really have kept out, the man tasked with replacing Italy 'keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma - Maignan – proved unbeatable as Sampdoria piled the pressure on.
Rade Krunic should have made it two late in the first half, but scuffed wide from close range.
Maignan again at to be at his best to deny Manolo Gabbiadini early in the second period, and that was close as the hosts got to a leveller, with Roberto D'Aversa’s side looking shorn of ideas as Milan got men behind the ball to see the victory through.
Line-ups
Sampdoria XI: Quagliarella, Yoshida, Candreva, Ekdal, Gabbiadini, Bereszynski, O. Colley, T. Augello, M. Thorsby, E. Audero, M. Damsgaard
Subs: Adrien Silva, N. Ravaglia, Tonelli, Verre, Murru, W. Falcone, A.Ferrari, J. Chabot, Depaoli, Kristoffer Askildsen, S. Trimboli
Milan XI: Kjaer, Giroud, Maignan, Krunic, Calabria, Tomori, Theo, Brahim, Tonali, Leao, A. Saelemaekers
Subs: Tatarusanu, Florenzi, Rebic, Castillejo, Romagnoli, F.Toure, Bennacer, Gabbia, A. Plizzari, T. Pobega, Kalulu, Maldini