AC Milan's struggles in Serie A under new coach Paulo Fonseca continued on Saturday as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Parma at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. Despite being seven-time European champions, Milan's slow start to the season was evident, as they have managed only one point from their first two league matches. Parma, newly promoted to Serie A, played with confidence and determination, defying expectations by taking the lead and ultimately securing a memorable victory.
The decisive moment came 13 minutes before the end when Matteo Cancellieri found the back of the net, meeting Pontus Almqvist's low cross with precision. The 22-year-old winger, on loan from Lazio, marked his first goal for Parma in style, leaving Milan with little time to respond. Earlier in the match, Christian Pulisic had briefly revived Milan's hopes, equalizing in the 66th minute after Dennis Man's early goal had put Parma ahead. However, Parma's counter-attacking threat remained a constant danger throughout the match.
Milan's performance was lackluster for much of the first half, with Parma dominating the early stages. The hosts created several clear-cut opportunities but were let down by poor finishing, with Simon Sohm and Valentin Mihaila both missing golden chances to extend Parma's lead. Milan only began to show signs of life after the half-hour mark, testing Parma's goalkeeper Zion Suzuki multiple times, yet failing to capitalize on their chances.
After the break, Milan showed more urgency, coming close to taking the lead when Tijjani Reijnders' deflected shot hit the crossbar, and Pulisic's effort was well saved by Suzuki. However, Parma's resilience and quick counter-attacks ultimately paid off, with Cancellieri's late goal sealing the victory. Milan's push for a comeback fell short, and the defeat leaves them with much work to do as they adjust to life under Fonseca. Meanwhile, in other Serie A action, Inter Milan prepared to face Lecce at San Siro, while Monza hosted Genoa, with Mehdi Taremi making his first start for Inter since joining as a free agent.
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