Rabiot inspires Milan to opening-day win under new boss Amorim

Adrien Rabiot insists he is fully committed to Ruben Amorim's project at AC Milan after inspiring the Rossoneri to a 2-1 opening-day Serie A victory away to Torino on Sunday.

The Frenchman came off the bench to replace Ardon Jashari in the 56th minute and turned the game in Milan's favour. Rabiot teed up Alphadjo Cisse for the opener in the 64th minute before firing home an instinctive volley at the back post just two minutes later.

Che Adams' stunning strike in second-half stoppage time threatened a nervy finish, but Milan held on to secure an opening-day Serie A win for the first time since 2023-24.

For Rabiot, it was the fourth time he has scored and assisted in a single Serie A match — all four coming in away games — continuing the fine form he showed last season. The 31-year-old made 29 Serie A appearances in 2024-25, starting 28, and contributed six goals and four assists. Only Rafael Leao (nine goals, three assists) and Christian Pulisic (eight goals, four assists) registered more goal involvements for Milan in the competition.

Amorim's triumph made him the first foreign coach to win his first Serie A match in charge of Milan since Leonardo in August 2009.

"I'm happy" — Rabiot backs Amorim's attacking vision

Rabiot, who had been tipped to leave Milan following Massimiliano Allegri's dismissal at the end of last season, is instead ready to lead by example under the new boss.

"I am glad to be back, to have seen what ideas the coach has, and I also spoke to the boss," Rabiot told Sky Sport Italia, referring to Gerry Cardinale, the CEO of Milan's ownership group, RedBird Capital. "I already had a similar role with Roberto De Zerbi at Olympique Marseille. I like to attack the goal, so I'm happy.

"I am closer to the goal when we recover the ball, so this season we'll try to have more possession than the opponents, and then it ought to be easier to create chances, score goals and provide assists."

Fresh from World Cup, Rabiot returns hungry

Sunday's appearance was Rabiot's first since France's World Cup campaign, in which he started all seven matches as Les Bleus finished fourth.

"The World Cup was good, we reached the semi-finals, even if we wanted to win it," Rabiot added. "I needed that time off to rest both physically and mentally, because it was a tough season, especially with the way it ended at Milan.

"I returned with great hunger. We asked the coach for a couple more days, and he told us to take four, so I don't understand why it was controversial. Then again, that's always what it is like in Italy. I'm pleased to be back on the field after just one week of training, but I understood what the coach wants, what he expects from me, and I'm glad to have contributed a goal and assist."