AC Milan, hit by a flurry of close season departures, fully justified their fans’ trepidation over the new season by losing 1-0 at home to promoted Sampdoria in their opening Serie A match yesterday.
Andrea Costa headed the only goal for the visitors just before the hour to stun a half-empty San Siro, making it painfully obvious that the 18-times Italian champions are in for a long, difficult season.
Milan were disjointed and sluggish before the goal, although they greatly improved after striker Robinho was substituted immediately afterwards. In the final half hour, Mario Yepes and Kevin-Prince Boateng both hit the post for Milan, and Urby Emanuelson had a shot headed off the line in stoppage time while Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero performed heroics for the visitors.
The win left Sampdoria on two points after they had a point deducted over their involvement in the Calcioscomesse match-fixing scandal before the season started.
Milan suffered a host of departures in the close season, headed by talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovíc and defender Thiago Silva who went to Paris Saint-Germain. Champions Juventus enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Parma and Fiorentina came from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 while Inter had an easy 3-0 win away to Pescara last night.
