Who is Federico Bonazzoli, the Cremonese striker who ruined Milan’s opener
Some nights, or rather some August afternoons, remain etched in fans’ memories. Milan’s debut in the league seemed scripted: a crowd of great occasions, newfound enthusiasm and an opponent – Cremonese, freshly promoted – that was affordable on paper. But soccer does not like scripts that are too predictable, and on Saturday in Milan it rewrote its own. The protagonist’s name is Federico Bonazzoli, a 1997-class striker, who with a cinematic backhand ruined the Rossoneri’s plans, giving the grigiorossi a historic victory.
Born in Manerbio, in the province of Brescia, Bonazzoli grew up with the ball between his feet. At the age of seven, Inter snatched him from small local clubs and brought him up in their own nursery. A physical, elegant, natural left-handed center forward, he made his debut for the Nerazzurri at just 16, becoming one of the youngest debutants in the club’s history. He looked like the destined one, but the road to soccer often turns out to be more winding than expected.
From there began a journey in stages: Sampdoria, Lanciano, Brescia, SPAL, Padova, Torino, Salernitana, Verona. Loans, short parentheses, a few flashes and the continuous search for a starting place. The best moment came at Salerno, with ten goals in a season that led the Campania team to an unhoped-for salvation.
In the summer of 2024, Cremonese decided to bet on him for a grand return to Serie A. It is a brave choice, but also a hand extended to a striker still in his prime and eager for revival. The agreement until 2028 is a clear signal: trust and project.
And so we come to Saturday. After Baschirotto’s lead and Pavlovic’s equalizer, the game seemed destined for Milan’s inertia. But in minute 61, on a Pezzella cross, Bonazzoli decided to defy logic. Perfect coordination, violent and precise reverse kick: Maignan can only watch the ball slip into the net. A technical gesture that freezes San Siro and goes straight into the memory of Grigiorossi fans.
For him, it is not even the first time: in 2022, with the Salernitana jersey, he had already scored against AC Milan in a reverse. As if against the Rossoneri his fate was written upside down.
Bonazzoli, after the final whistle, chose humility: “It was good, now forward with humility.” A simple phrase, which tells well of a guy used to starting from scratch every time. But this time there is something different: his goal is not just an aesthetic masterpiece, it is the spark that can ignite an entire season.
For Cremonese, the one in San Siro will remain a historic victory. For Bonazzoli, perhaps, it was the day the missed predestined finally reclaimed his place in the spotlight.
