Pulisic scores but Milan upset by promoted Parma

Updated: Aug 24, 2024, 08:16 pm

Promoted Parma pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over AC Milan in Serie A on Saturday, extending manager Paulo Fonseca's wait for his first win as coach of the visiting side.

Parma stunned Milan with an early opener through Dennis Man who struck with his first touch after 83 seconds.

United States international Christian Pulisic equalised for Milan in the 66th minute, after Rafael Leao fed a low pass into the path of the American midfielder who finished from close range, but substitute Matteo Cancellieri restored Parma's lead 11 minutes later.

Milan, who scored two last-gasp goals to secure a 2-2 draw in their season opener last weekend, are 16th on one point in the standings. 

Parma, who sealed promotion to the Italian top flight after finishing top of Serie B last season, provisionally lead the table on four points.

Milan slumped to defeat despite Christian Pulisic's goal.
PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images

The home team started fast against their illustrious opponents and Man netted his second goal of the season following a pass by Emanuele Valeri.

Romanian Man recorded 17 Serie B goal involvements last season, finding the net 11 times.

Parma were well organised in defence and continued to make it difficult for Milan to threaten their goal.

Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, meanwhile, did well to deny Noah Okafor and Strahinja Pavlovic in the visitors' few first-half attempts.

Milan showed greater determination following halftime and Tijjani Reijnders struck the bar before Suzuki denied Pulisic.

Parma, however, did not limit their efforts to defending the lead and Ange-Yoan Bonny thought he had doubled the advantage but was ruled offside.

Pulisic equalised for Milan, only for Cancellieri to put Parma back in front with a low shot 13 minutes from time, after Pontus Almqvist sped down the left flank to tee him up.

Milan have failed to win at least one out of their two opening games of the campaign for the first time since 2011-12.

The Rossoneri were unbeaten in their eight previous meetings with Parma, a run dating back more than 10 years.