Serie A opener: AC Milan’s Cisse claims starting spot, complicating Pulisic’s return
A 19-year-old winger’s debut goal under new manager Ruben Amorim has shifted the tactical landscape at AC Milan, while defending champions Inter Milan and Juventus secured victories in the league’s opening weekend.
The 2026–2027 Serie A season commenced with a significant shift in squad dynamics at AC Milan, where 19-year-old winger Alphadjo Cisse scored the opening goal in a 2–1 victory over Torino. Cisse received his first start under new manager Ruben Amorim, who replaced Massimiliano Allegri this summer, and is expected to retain his place on the left wing for the upcoming match against Venezia.
The emergence of Cisse creates direct competition for American international Christian Pulisic, who is currently recovering from a microfracture in his leg sustained during the USMNT’s 4–1 loss to Belgium at the World Cup. While Pulisic’s versatility suggests he will feature frequently once fit, the immediate starting role appears to be firmly in Cisse’s hands, particularly with Rafael Leao sidelined with an injury and anticipated to depart before the transfer deadline.
Defending champions Inter Milan kicked off their title defence with a dominant 4–1 win over Monza at San Siro. Goals from Hakan Calhanoglu, Francesco Pio Esposito, Yann Bisseck, and Piotr Zielinski underlined the Nerazzurri’s attacking depth. French winger Andy Diouf was instrumental in the victory, delivering two key assists while operating as a right wing-back in coach Cristian Chivu’s 3-5-2 system.
Diouf’s performance has solidified his status as a potential starter in that position, a role he assumed during the previous season when Denzel Dumfries was injured. Following Dumfries’ transfer to Real Madrid, Inter signed Djed Spence from Tottenham, but Diouf’s effectiveness suggests he will remain a critical component of the squad’s defensive and offensive structure.
Elsewhere in the opening round, Juventus secured a narrow 1–0 away victory at Frosinone, with Bremer scoring the decisive goal from an assist by Francisco Conceição. Napoli also claimed a clean sheet, winning 2–0 at Genoa to start their campaign.
The weekend was not without controversy, as Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti publicly criticised striker Randal Kolo Muani regarding his match fitness. Speaking to DAZN, Spalletti noted that the French international, who arrived from PSG to fill the void left by Dusan Vlahovic’s departure to Besiktas, needs to acknowledge that he has not played for two years. The comments represent a risky public assessment of a player who has become a key figure in the Bianconeri’s attacking line-up.
