AC Milan secured a 2-1 victory in their opening Serie A fixture on August 23, 2026, despite a major refereeing controversy. The Rossoneri were denied a clear first-half penalty when Torino’s Nikola Vlašić blocked a cross with his arm, a non-call reviewed and dismissed by VAR official Zufferli.
Fantasy & Market Impact
The Disputed Non-Call and VAR Silence
The flashpoint occurred in the 59th minute at the start of the second half. Alphadjo Cissé whipped a dangerous cross into the Torino penalty area. Nikola Vlašić moved toward the flight of the ball with his arm extended in an unnatural position, blocking the delivery.
Refereeing replays broadcast from the stadium lacked optimal depth perspective. Yet, the arm clearly intercepted the trajectory of the cross. They opted against sending the center referee to the pitchside monitor, ruling the defensive action legal.
Tactical Recovery and Owner Reaction
The denial triggered intense protests from the visiting bench and players. But Amorim’s squad channeled that friction into immediate attacking intensity. Moments after the controversy, the Rossoneri orchestrated a sharp offensive sequence combining Cissé and Adrien Rabiot to seal a crucial 2-1 advantage.
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The decision did not escape the attention of the club’s hierarchy.
Match Summary Statistics
| Fixture Detail | Statistic / Fact |
|---|---|
| Date | August 23, 2026 |
| Final Score | Torino 1 – 2 AC Milan |
| Key Incident | Nikola Vlašić 59′ Penalty Appeal (Denied) |
| Scoring Impact | Alphadjo Cissé, Adrien Rabiot |
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