MILAN:
Luka Modric scored his first aim for AC Milan in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Bologna, the veteran star making his mark on the San Siro days after turning 40.
Modric, who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, netted the successful aim on the finish of a flowing transfer he began in midfield earlier than assembly Alexis Saelemaekers’s low cross with an ideal first-time end.
“I hope subsequent time somebody will not remind me of my age anymore!” joked Modric to DAZN.
“It was nice play, Ale gave me a terrific ball and it was straightforward to attain. It was extra the move than my aim.”
Modric praised his group’s combating spirit and added: “Sport by sport we are going to acquire extra confidence and I am certain we are going to get even higher.”
The six-time Champions League winner, who arrived at Milan as a free agent after 13 years at Actual Madrid, wheeled away in delight on the decisive strike in a match which ended with coach Massimiliano Allegri despatched off for his livid response on the hosts not being given a late penalty.
New signing Christopher Nkunku seemed set to have an opportunity at scoring his first Milan aim from the penalty spot seconds after changing Santiago Gimenez when he went down below challenges from Jhon Lucumi after which Remo Freuler.
However after wanting on the pitch-side monitor, referee Matteo Marcenaro overruled his personal resolution to offer the spot-kick for the Freuler foul, which despatched Allegri right into a rage on the touchline, his rant to officers incomes him a crimson card.
Sunday’s win was additionally a profitable begin for brand spanking new arrival Adrien Rabiot, who produced a formidable efficiency alongside Modric in midfield for Milan, who additionally struck the woodwork 3 times.
Nonetheless, his fellow France worldwide Mike Maignan was pressured to limp off with what Milan have confirmed is an issue along with his proper calf.
Allegri stated after the match that Maignan would miss subsequent Saturday’s conflict at Udinese.
Milan’s first house win of the season moved them as much as fifth, stage on six factors with Cremonese and Roma, who fell to a shock 1-0 house defeat to Torino earlier on Sunday.
– No PSG for Lookman –
Earlier, Ivan Juric confirmed that Ademola Lookman would sit out Atalanta’s Champions League opener at Paris Saint-Germain because the Nigeria ahead continues to be sidelined following a protracted try to depart the Serie A membership.
Atalanta warmed up for Wednesday’s conflict with the European champions in Paris by beating Lecce 4-1 with out star man Lookman, who has not featured this season after making an attempt and failing to drive via a transfer to Inter Milan in the summertime.
“I do not assume so, it is an disagreeable scenario,” stated Juric when requested if Lookman would journey to the French capital.
“He has given quite a bit to Atalanta however Atalanta has given him quite a bit as properly. We want gamers who’re prepared, who need to play for the shirt and enhance… Trying forward we’ll see what occurs.”
London-born Lookman has turn out to be among the best gamers in Europe since signing for Atalanta three years in the past after a middling early profession in England and Germany.
The 27-year-old has scored 52 occasions in 117 matches for Atalanta, most famously netting a hat-trick within the 2024 Europa League closing, when the Bergamo membership received their first European trophy by thumping beforehand unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.
Lookman scored 20 occasions in all competitions final season with 5 coming in seven Champions League appearances, however he soured his relationship with the membership by abandoning group coaching within the hope that Inter would meet Atalanta’s asking worth of fifty million euros ($59 million).
That by no means occurred and Lookman, whose contract doesn’t expire till the top of June 2027, was pressured to return to Atalanta, the place he has since been frozen out by Juric, who has changed Gian Piero Gasperini within the dugout.
