TIME MACHINE: CARLOS BACCA IN AC MILAN v TORINO

After Bologna, we take on Torino. Our first home game of the season, and therefore our first chance to see our fans at San Siro, will be against the Granata. One recent memory of August football against the Toro was at home in 2016/17. That was our first game at San Siro that season, but was actually on Serie A matchday 1 of a campaign, in which the Rossoneri would win the Supercoppa Italiana. A campaign kicked off by a stunning Carlos Bacca hat-trick.

It was the start of the Colombian striker's second season at the Club, following a stellar first year. He scored 18 league goals in his debut season but just the one multiple-goal haul: a brace against Palermo. He scored in 17 of his 38 appearances, so had proven that he could be a key man for the Rossoneri. The expectation for the 2016/17 season, with Vincenzo Montella in the dug-out in place of Siniša Mihajlović, was for another year of fine finishes.

The season for AC Milan and Bacca couldn't have started any better than the way it did on 21 August 2016. Three points for the Rossoneri, three goals for the Colombian (his first hat-trick for the Club and AC Milan's first since Giampaolo Pazzini in September 2012). Bacca opened the scoring with a header from Abate's cross. After the break, Belotti equalised for the Granata, but Bacca struck back with a quick one-two punch (50' and 62'). He bagged his second with his left after bringing Niang's cross under control. He wrapped up his hat-trick from the penalty spot. Converting after Bonaventura was brought down in the box. Three goals to start the season in the best way possible, let's hope it's a good sign for Pioli's Rossoneri.

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