AC Milan kicks off the New Year 2026 on a high note by winning their opening game. Massimiliano Allegri's squad narrowly triumphs at the Unipol Domus on Friday, January 2, 2026. This victory places AC Milan temporarily at the top of the standings with 38 points.

This is how Milan starts 2026, achieving a close win against Cagliari and momentarily rising to the summit of the table. The Rossoneri had a lackluster first half but showed improvement in the second half, netting a goal through Rafael Leão and finishing the match without allowing any goals from the determined Sardinian side.

AC Milan netted the sole goal of the match in the 50th minute. Rafael Leão found the back of the net with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the top left corner, assisted by Adrien Rabiot's cross.

Leão was named Man of the Match for scoring the opening goal.



Photo via x.com/SerieA_EN





 



 

 



 



Photo x.com/acmilan

 

⚽️  Goals: 50'Rafael Leão (M)

🟨 Yellow Cards:  83' Riyad Idrissi (C), 91' Alexis Saelemaekers (M), 91' Marco Palestra (C).

✅  Official Lineups - Formations - Tabellino:

Lineup CAGLIARI (3-5-2): Caprile; Zappa, Luperto, Rodríguez; Palestra, Adopo, Prati (61' Borrelli), Mazzitelli (83' Cavuoti), Obert (61' Idrissi); Esposito (66' Gaetano), Kılıçsoy (83' Pavoletti).

Subs: Ciocci, Radunović; Di Pardo, Mina, Pintus; Deiola, Liteta, Rog; Luvumbo, Trepy.

Coach: Pisacane.

Lineup AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Bartesaghi; Saelemaekers, Fofana (69' Ricci), Modrić, Rabiot, Estupiñan (79' Gabbia); Loftus-Cheek (79' Pulisic), Leão (69' Füllkrug).

Subs: Terracciano, Torriani; Athekame, Odogu, Pavlović; Jashari; Castiello.

Coach:  Massimiliano Allegri.

Click the video to watch Cagliari 0 - 1 AC Milan highlights on Friday 2 January 2026