Daijiworld Media Network – Milan

Milan, Aug 18: AC Milan began their season with a 2-0 victory over Serie B side Bari in the opening round of the Italian Cup on Sunday, but the night turned bittersweet after star winger Rafael Leao limped off with a suspected calf injury.

Leao had opened the scoring with a header but was forced off shortly after celebrating. His replacement, Santiago Gimenez, later set up Christian Pulisic, who netted Milan’s second early in the second half. The American had earlier struck the crossbar in the first half.

The match also marked a special debut for 39-year-old Luka Modric, who came on in the 66th minute following his summer move from Real Madrid. The former Ballon d’Or winner joined Milan in July after 13 successful seasons in Spain.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri, returning to Milan after nearly 15 years, served the first of a two-match suspension handed down for his outburst at referees during the 2024 Cup final while in charge of Juventus — an episode that also led to his dismissal.

Milan, who usually enter the Coppa Italia in the later rounds, were forced into early action after finishing eighth in Serie A last season and losing the Cup final to Bologna. The Rossoneri now face Lecce in late September in the next round.

Elsewhere, Empoli, Sassuolo, Genoa, Venezia, Como, Cagliari, Pisa, Palermo, Frosinone, and Parma also progressed.

Milan’s Serie A campaign begins next weekend at San Siro against promoted Cremonese. The availability of Leao for the league opener remains uncertain.