MILAN (Interstat) — In a stunning upset to open the Serie A season, newly promoted Parma secured a memorable 1-0 victory over AC Milan at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday, February 22, 2026, defying pregame projections and silencing the home crowd.

The match, a tactical and often tense affair, was decided by a late moment of brilliance from Parma substitute Mariano Troilo. Entering the game in the second half, Troilo made a decisive impact, scoring the match’s only goal in the 80th minute to seal a perfect start to the campaign for the visiting side.

The goal culminated a swift counterattack. Midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers, who later received a yellow card in the 32nd minute, provided the initial through ball to spring the break. Forward Rafael Leão carried the play into Milan’s final third before delivering a precise pass to the arriving Troilo, who finished clinically to send the traveling supporters into delirium. Troilo was also booked in the 48th minute, just minutes before his decisive contribution, while Leão saw a yellow card in the 52nd minute.

The result flips the script on preseason expectations. Parma, returning to Italy’s top flight, begins its Serie A season with a statement win, moving its record to one win and no losses. AC Milan, one of the league’s traditional powers, stumbles at the first hurdle, starting its league campaign with a defeat and a record of no wins and one loss. The records across all competitions mirror the Serie A standings for both clubs after this opening fixture.

The match failed to live up to the offensive spectacle predicted by statistical models. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw, while its ELO rating system gave AC Milan a 53.3 percent probability of securing a victory. Instead, Parma’s organized defense and opportunistic attack proved more telling than the algorithms.

AC Milan controlled large portions of possession but struggled to break down a disciplined Parma block, creating few clear chances despite the efforts of its attacking players. The home side’s frustration grew as the second half wore on, culminating in the devastating sucker-punch delivered by Troilo. Parma’s defense held firm through nearly ten minutes of stoppage time to preserve the clean sheet and the three points.

The victory marks a dream start for Parma in its return to Serie A, instantly claiming a major scalp on the road. For AC Milan, the defeat represents an immediate setback and a disappointing performance in front of its home fans, raising questions that will need answers as the long season progresses. The fixture served as a stark reminder of the competitive parity and drama inherent in the opening weekend of a new Italian football campaign.