After last season’s disappointing campaign - in which they finished eighth, their lowest finish in 10 years - Milan will have been desperate to get this term off to a positive start under returning boss Maximiliano Allegri.
Newly-promoted Cremonese offered a fantastic opportunity to set off on the right foot, but things didn’t quite go to plan before the break.
Santiago Gimenez did have the ball in the back of the net for the hosts shortly after the quarter-hour mark, yet the goal was ruled out for offside and, before long, the visitors were ahead.
It was a wonderfully-taken goal, too, as Alessio Zerbin’s cross was powered home by new boy Federico Baschirotto’s head.
Milan offered very little in response, but just before the interval, they found themselves back on level terms when Strahinja Pavlovic nodded Pervis Estupinan’s cross beyond Emil Audero.
Cremonese head coach Davide Nicola and his players were apoplectic as they believed the goal should have been ruled out for a foul on Zerbin in the build-up, but the goal ultimately stood to send them in all square at the break.
Having hauled themselves level at the perfect time, Milan looked to use Pavlovic’s goal as a springboard immediately after the restart.
They created three opportunities in quick succession, too, but Audero was equal to attempts from Luka Modric - who was making his Serie A debut for the club - Christian Pulisic and Youssouf Fofana.
Subsequently, however, the Rossoneri were unable to sustain the pressure and, with around an hour on the clock, they fell behind to a moment of pure magic.
Former Inter Milan player Federico Bonazzoli will have taken extra enjoyment out of a stunning bicycle kick that left Mike Maignan with no chance between the Milan sticks.
Unsurprisingly, Allegri’s side dominated possession from there on out as they aimed to restore parity. Yet Audero had little more to do and, despite spending the majority of the final 30 minutes in their own half, Cremonese held on with relative ease.
Nicola, also in a new job, will be delighted with his team’s showing and will be eager for his side to build on this performance and pick up as many points as possible early on. Allegri and Milan, meanwhile, may already be feeling the pressure as they aim to return to the summit of the domestic game.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Federico Bonazzoli (Cremonese)