Luka Modric, at 40, scored the decisive goal as AC Milan beat Bologna 1-0 in Serie A. The Rossoneri climb to fifth, while Napoli and Juventus lead the table after three rounds.
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AC Milan secured an important and symbolic win this Sunday at San Siro, defeating Bologna 1-0 in a tightly contested Serie A clash.
The only goal of the evening came from the veteran Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, who continues to defy age and expectations. At 40 years old, having only recently celebrated his birthday, Modric showed once again the class, vision, and composure that have defined his long and decorated career. For Milan fans, his strike carried an even greater significance, as it not only sealed three points but also confirmed the team’s resilience after a shaky start to the season.
The match began with Milan dictating the pace, but Bologna proved to be a stubborn opponent. Despite having less possession, the visitors maintained a compact defensive structure, making it difficult for Milan’s attacking line to find space. The absence of Portuguese winger Rafael Leão, who was sidelined due to injury, was felt in the first half as Milan lacked some creativity and explosiveness on the flanks. Without their talismanic forward, the Rossoneri relied heavily on midfield control, where Modric orchestrated play alongside younger teammates.
The breakthrough came in the 61st minute, when Modric, positioned just outside the box, calmly slotted home after a well-worked move. The San Siro erupted, celebrating not just the goal but the remarkable longevity of a player who had spent more than a decade as one of Real Madrid’s most influential figures before moving to Italy. Modric’s strike highlighted his technical precision and game intelligence, proving that even in his forties, he remains decisive at the highest level.
This win was also a statement for Milan’s new manager, Massimiliano Allegri. After replacing Portuguese coach Sérgio Conceição in the summer, Allegri has been under scrutiny to stabilize the team and return them to title contention. Following an opening-round defeat to Cremonese, pressure was mounting, but back-to-back victories have eased concerns and injected optimism into the Rossoneri camp. With six points from three games, Milan climbed to fifth in the standings, keeping pace with the early leaders. Bologna, meanwhile, sit 13th with just three points and will need to find greater consistency to avoid being dragged into the lower half of the table.
Elsewhere in Serie A, the weekend offered a mix of narrow results and high-scoring drama. In Rome, Torino claimed a valuable away win against Roma, thanks to a 59th-minute strike from Giovanni Simeone. The Argentine forward, son of Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone, showed sharp instincts inside the box to punish a lapse in the Roma defense. The defeat halted Roma’s momentum after two consecutive victories, dropping them to sixth place with six points. Torino, on the other hand, celebrated their first success of the season, climbing to ninth with four points.
Udinese also grabbed headlines with a 1-0 victory over Pisa, courtesy of a goal by Spanish forward Iker Bravo in the 14th minute. That early strike was enough to propel Udinese into third place with seven points, cementing their position as one of the season’s early surprise packages. Sassuolo mirrored that scoreline in their clash with Lazio, with Alieu Fadera netting the decisive goal in the 70th minute, securing a crucial win for the Neroverdi.
Atalanta produced the most emphatic performance of the weekend, dismantling Lecce 4-1 in Bergamo. The hosts displayed their trademark attacking intensity, with Scalvini opening the scoring in the 37th minute before Charles De Ketelaere netted twice (51’ and 73’). Zalewski added a fourth in the 70th minute, sealing the victory. Lecce managed a consolation goal in the 82nd minute through Ivorian forward Konan Ndri, who capitalized on an assist from Portuguese substitute Danilo Veiga. Despite the heavy defeat, Lecce showed flashes of resistance, but remain bottom of the table with just one point. Atalanta, meanwhile, climbed to seventh with five points, maintaining hopes of securing another European qualification spot.
At the top of the standings, reigning champions Napoli continued their perfect start, edging Fiorentina 2-1 on Saturday. The Partenopei, now with nine points from three games, share the lead with Juventus, who overcame Inter in a thrilling 4-3 encounter that highlighted their attacking firepower but also defensive vulnerabilities. With both giants setting the pace, the early weeks of Serie A suggest a competitive and unpredictable season ahead, with multiple teams vying for the Scudetto.
For Milan, the victory over Bologna was not just about points but about identity and belief. The arrival of Luka Modric, initially questioned due to his age, is already paying dividends, both on the pitch and in terms of leadership within the squad. Allegri’s challenge will be to integrate Modric’s experience with the energy of Milan’s younger talents while awaiting the return of Rafael Leão. If they succeed, the Rossoneri may once again find themselves in the thick of the title race.
Updated: 10:00, 15 Sep 2025
