FIRST LEAGUE GOALS ON THE ROAD: TIME MACHINE

Matchday 35 in Serie A is soon to be upon us, with Coach Pioli's Rossoneri facing an important and tricky away trip in the final run-in. Spezia v AC Milan is, for recent Rossoneri history, the match in which Daniel Maldini - currrently on loan at the Ligurian side - scored his first goal for AC Milan, adding another important landmark to the family dynasty of international fame. As well as Daniel, another three players from the Youth Academy have grabbed their first-ever goal in Italy's top-flight away from home. Let's look at those personally satifying moments in our Time Machine.

4 JANUARY 1987: MALDINI LEADS AC MILAN TO VICTORY OVER COMO
After having made his debut on 20 January 1985 under Coach Liedholm, the 1986/87 season saw Paolo Maldini - at 18 years of age - get his first of 29 Serie A goals. On matchday 14, the Rossoneri made the trip to Sinigaglia in Como with the aim of bringing home the three points and closing the gap on leaders Napoli, in the last game before the halfway point. It was the first season under Silvio Berlusconi's reign as president, which officially begun on 24 March 1986. The game between the Rossoneri and Lariani was a tight, hard-fought contest, with the winning goal coming in the 62nd minute: Tassotti's cross in was headed on target by Virdis, but home keeper Paradisi could only parry the ball away to Paolo, who was there to pounce and convert the follow-up. AC Milan won 1-0 thanks Paolo's historic goal, adding an important piece of history to a long-lasting and memorable career in Rossoneri colours, that to this day still warms the heart of every fan.

25 SEPTEMBER 2013: ABATE DECISIVE AT THE DEATH
The first goal wearing the AC Milan jersey for current Primavera Head Coach came in stoppage time in a never-ending game. It was matchday 5 in the 2013/14 season with the Rossoneri visiting Bologna, led by a certain Stefano Pioli. The away side started strongly and took the lead in the opening 15 minutes through Poli. But as the game wore on, they lost solidity and the Felsinei took advantage by scoring three goals through Laxalt's brace and a header from Castaldo. Robinho's goal (89') gave hope for the Rossoneri at the end, and deep into stoppage-time the equalier to make it 3-3 came: Muntari with the cross and Ignazio Abate was at the right place at the right time to accurately slot home with his right. The ability to react and keep on fighting until the final whistle gave Abate's first goal a perfectly joyous setting, with the team celebrating ferociously in front of the travelling support and showing his endless love for the shirt.

20 AUGUST 2017: CUTRONE HEADER, A PERFECT START
His debut at the end of the previous season, followed by an excellent summer, and finally a first Serie A goal: the  2017/18 season for the Rossoneri opened up away to Crotone, with Coach Montella giving Patrick the role of leading the attack. At Scida, the Rossoneri were soon flying, as Ceccherini was sent off inside five minutes after fouling Patrick Cutrone as the last defender. From the spot, Kessie made it 1-0,and after 18' the lead was doubled by the man of the day: Suso down the right flank crossed into the box, and Cutrone got ahead of his markers  and headed home past Cordaz at the near post. The impact of the striker was astounding, who then provided his first assist five minutes later, setting up Suso for the third. The forward from Como ended the season with 18 goals, but his first in the Italian top-flight will always be a special moment.

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