Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as AC Milan got off to a winning start in Serie A against Bologna at the San Siro stadium.
Ibrahimovic, 38, headed in Theo Hernandez’s curling cross from the left in the first half before making it 2-0 from the spot after the break.
The striker had earlier fired inches wide of the left post in an impressive display.
He has now scored a double in three of his last five Serie A appearances.
There was a debut for former Manchester City forward Brahim Diaz, on loan from Real Madrid, while it was the fourth season in which Ibrahimovic had scored in the opening match round of Serie A.
Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to deny Bologna several times in the second half as they pushed for a way back into the game but left-back Mitchell Dijks was sent off for a second yellow card in the 89th minute.
Stefano Pioli’s side, who finished last season in sixth place – 17 points adrift of champions Juventus – travel to Crotone in their next league fixture on Sunday.
Line-ups
AC Milan
- 99Donnarumma
- 2Calabria
- 24KjaerSubstituted forCampos Duarte da Silvaat 72′minutes
- 46GabbiaBooked at 89mins
- 19Hernández
- 79KessiéSubstituted forTonaliat 77′minutes
- 4BennacerSubstituted forKrunicat 86′minutesBooked at 86mins
- 7Castillejo AzuagaBooked at 40minsSubstituted forSaelemaekersat 45′minutes
- 10CalhanogluSubstituted forDÃazat 71′minutes
- 12Rebic
- 11Ibrahimovic
Substitutes
- 1Tatarusanu
- 8Tonali
- 20Kalulu Kyatengwa
- 21DÃaz
- 27Maldini
- 29Colombo
- 33Krunic
- 39Tolentino Coelho de Lima
- 43Campos Duarte da Silva
- 56Saelemaekers
- 90Donnarumma
- 93Laxalt
Bologna
- 28Skorupski
- 29De Silvestri
- 23Larangeira
- 14TomiyasuBooked at 74mins
- 35DijksBooked at 88mins
- 30Schouten
- 8DomÃnguezBooked at 18minsSubstituted forSansoneat 57′minutesBooked at 81mins
- 7OrsoliniSubstituted forSkov Olsenat 57′minutes
- 21SorianoSubstituted forSvanbergat 80′minutes
- 99BarrowSubstituted forVignatoat 83′minutes
- 24PalacioSubstituted forSantanderat 80′minutes
Substitutes
- 1da Costa Júnior
- 4Denswil
- 9Santander
- 10Sansone
- 11Skov Olsen
- 13Bani
- 15Mbaye
- 16Poli
- 18Baldursson
- 26Juwara
- 32Svanberg
- 55Vignato
- Referee:
- Federico La Penna
Live Text
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Match ends, Milan 2, Bologna 0.
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Second Half ends, Milan 2, Bologna 0.
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Sandro Tonali (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Federico Santander (Bologna).
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Foul by Ante Rebic (Milan).
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Mattias Svanberg (Bologna) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt saved. Takehiro Tomiyasu (Bologna) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Nicola Sansone with a cross.
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Matteo Gabbia (Milan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Matteo Gabbia (Milan).
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Federico Santander (Bologna) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Second yellow card to Mitchell Dijks (Bologna) for a bad foul.
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Alexis Saelemaekers (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Mitchell Dijks (Bologna).
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Attempt missed. Lorenzo De Silvestri (Bologna) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Danilo following a set piece situation.
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Attempt blocked. Federico Santander (Bologna) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Danilo.
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Rade Krunic (Milan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Rade Krunic (Milan).
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Nicola Sansone (Bologna) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Substitution, Milan. Rade Krunic replaces Ismael Bennacer.
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Attempt saved. Nicola Sansone (Bologna) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mattias Svanberg.
