MILAN — Luka Modric scored his first goal for AC Milan in yesterday's 1-0 win over Bologna, the veteran star making his mark at the San Siro days after turning 40.
Modric, who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, netted the winning goal at the end of a flowing move he started in midfield before meeting Alexis Saelemaekers’s low cross with a perfect first-time finish.
“I hope next time someone won’t remind me of my age anymore!” joked Modric to DAZN.
“It was great play, Ale gave me a great ball and it was easy to score. It was more the pass than my goal.”
Modric praised his team’s fighting spirit and added: “Game by game we will gain more confidence and I’m sure we will get even better.”
The six-time Champions League winner, who arrived at Milan as a free agent after 13 years at Real Madrid, wheeled away in delight at the decisive strike in a match which ended with coach Massimiliano Allegri sent off for his furious reaction at the hosts not being given a late penalty.
New signing Christopher Nkunku looked set to have a chance at scoring his first Milan goal from the penalty spot seconds after replacing Santiago Gimenez when he went down under challenges from Jhon Lucumi and then Remo Freuler.
But after looking at the pitch-side monitor, referee Matteo Marcenaro overruled his own decision to give the spot-kick for the Freuler foul, which sent Allegri into a rage on the touchline, his rant to officials earning him a red card.
Sunday’s win was also a successful start for new arrival Adrien Rabiot, who produced an impressive performance alongside Modric in midfield for Milan, who also struck the woodwork three times.
However, his fellow France international Mike Maignan was forced to limp off with what Milan have confirmed is a problem with his right calf.
Allegri said after the match that Maignan would miss next Saturday’s clash at Udinese.
Milan’s first home win of the season moved them up to fifth, level on six points with Cremonese and Roma, who fell to a shock 1-0 home 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 as the Nigeria forward continues to be sidelined following a protracted attempt to leave the Serie A club.
Atalanta warmed up for Wednesday’s clash with the European champions in Paris by beating Lecce 4-1 without star man Lookman, who has not featured this season after trying and failing to force through a move to Inter Milan in the summer.
“I don’t think so, it’s an unpleasant situation,” said Juric when asked if Lookman would travel to the French capital.
“He has given a lot to Atalanta but Atalanta has given him a lot as well. We need players who are ready, who want to play for the shirt and improve... Looking ahead we’ll see what happens.”
