Cissè Scored on His Serie a Debut and Adrien Rabiot Added a Second As AC Milan Beat Torino 2-1 Away in Their Opening Match of the Season

MILAN, ITALY — AC Milan secured their first Serie A victory under new coach Rúben Amorim, beating Torino 2-1 at the Stadio Grande Torino on the opening day of the season. The match was decided in a three-minute spell in the second half, with 19-year-old talent Cissé breaking the deadlock before Rabiot doubled the lead. Adams pulled one back for Torino in stoppage time, but it was too late for a comeback.

Amorim's side started with high, suffocating pressure, and after two minutes Loftus-Cheek attempted a cross-shot that found Cissé at the far post, who hit the outside of the net from a tight angle. The Rossoneri continued to push, and at the 6th minute, the away fans remembered captain Baresi, who passed away at the end of July. Torino defended in an orderly fashion, with goalkeeper Mascardi alert, punching away high balls.

He also responded well when Chukwueze shot on target after a solo run just past the half-hour mark. Maignan, meanwhile, was rarely tested, and Abate went into the break satisfied with his side's defensive display. Early in the second half, Torino showed signs of life with a well-taken free kick from Fitz-Jim, a lay-off from Coco, and Simeone just failing to get a touch at the far post.

After an hour, Amorim made his first changes, bringing on Modric and Rabiot for Loftus-Cheek (who had just been booked) and Jashari. The Rossoneri protested a suspicious handball by Vlasic in the area from a Cissé cross, but referee Zufferli, after consulting with VAR, awarded only a corner. Within three minutes, Milan put the game to bed thanks to Rabiot.

The Frenchman first set up Cissé, who beat Mascardi with a curling right-footed shot, then scored himself from a Chukwueze cross. Abate responded by bringing on Fortini, Adams, and Njie in one go. The Norwegian launched a thrilling solo run that hit the outside of the post, and at the 83rd minute he set up substitute Aboukhlal, who shot wide from a good position.

Adams made it 1-2 in the third minute of stoppage time, but it was too late for a comeback. Both coaches set up in a mirror-image 3-4-2-1 formation. Torino, managed by Abate, fielded ten of the eleven starters from their Coppa Italia debut against Carrarese, replacing the suspended Comert with Ismajli.

Amorim preferred De Winter to Gabbia and left Modric on the bench initially. Simeone and Ramos led the attacks, while Amorim chose 2006-born Cissé to partner Loftus-Cheek in the attacking midfield. Before the match, the Curva Maratona was full with the return of organized fan support, and around a thousand fans marched from the Filadelfia to the stadium behind a banner reading "Cairo vattene" (Cairo get out), protesting against president Urbano Cairo's management, who was absent as he was against Carrarese.

Torino fell at the first hurdle in front of their own fans, while Amorim's Milan started on the right foot. The match was played on August 23, 2026.