Chukwueze shines as Milan begin Serie A campaign with win at Torino

Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze was named Man of the Match after helping AC Milan start the 2026/27 Serie A season with a 2-1 victory away to Torino at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday.

Chukwueze was deployed in an unfamiliar right wing-back role but proved a constant danger on Milan’s right side. His performance was capped by an excellent assist for the visitors’ second goal, which France international Adrien Rabiot stabbed home.

The 27-year-old created four chances, more than any other player in the match, and also recorded impressive figures for touches in the opposition penalty area and possession won.

It was an encouraging opening performance for Chukwueze under new head coach Ruben Amorim. The Nigeria international spent last season on loan at Premier League club Fulham and will hope his display in Turin marks the beginning of an important campaign at Milan.

His showing also offered early support for Amorim’s team selection and tactical approach. Milan were not entirely fluent in their first competitive match of the season, but they produced a disciplined and effective away performance to claim all three points.

Chukwueze will now aim to deliver another influential display when Milan host Akor Adams’ Venezia in their next Serie A fixture at San Siro.

Adams endured a difficult introduction to Italian top-flight football as Venezia were beaten 2-0 at home by Lecce. The striker played the full 90 minutes in that defeat after joining Venezia from Sevilla during the summer transfer window.

Milan’s victory came at the start of a period of significant change for the club. They are targeting a return to the top four and a place in the UEFA Champions League, although a challenge for the Serie A title is considered a more demanding prospect while Inter remain the dominant force.

Milan finished outside the Champions League positions last season, prompting a major restructuring of the club’s hierarchy. Owner Gerry Cardinale led the reset and appointed Amorim as head coach after the Portuguese manager’s difficult spell at Manchester United.

The former Sporting Lisbon head coach is expected to use a dynamic 3-4-2-1 formation. That system could suit several members of Milan’s existing squad, although it will also require players to adapt to new roles and responsibilities.

For Chukwueze, that adjustment has already involved operating as a right wing-back rather than in his more familiar attacking position. Against Torino, however, the change allowed him to influence the game regularly, create opportunities for team-mates and provide the decisive contribution in front of goal.

Milan’s next match against Venezia will provide another opportunity to assess both Chukwueze’s role and Amorim’s developing system as the club begin their attempt to recover from last season’s disappointment.