Penalty let-off for Milan after Bacca hat-trick

Rome (AFP) – Colombian striker Carlos Bacca hit a hat-trick as AC Milan began a new era under Chinese ownership with a nervy 3-2 win over Torino on Sunday.

It took an injury-time penalty save by 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to secure the three points for Vincenzo Montella’s side after Torino mounted a stoppage-time fightback.

Bacca, a target for West Ham United who Milan are reportedly willing to sell to fund a higher-profile acquisition, made his case for staying at the San Siro in emphatic fashion.

Strikes either side of half-time were followed by a penalty third as the 29-year-old striker took his tally to 21 league goals in 39 appearances for the Milan giants.

Bacca’s first was the pick of his strikes. Ignazio Abate broke clear in the inside-right channel and the Italy defender’s first-time cross was buried spectacularly by Bacca’s diving header.

Torino were level within three minutes of the restart, Andrea Belotti heading home left-back Cristian Molinari’s cross.

But the advantage proved short-lived. M’Baye Niang’s cross from the left found Bacca in so much space between the two Torino centre-backs that he had time to bring the ball down before slotting past Daniele Padelli.

Bacca appeared to have ended the contest from the penalty spot two minutes after the hour mark after Giacomo Bonaventura was judged to have been brought down by Torino’s Nigerian midfielder Joel Obi.

But Torino were given hope in the first minute of added-on time by Daniele Baselli’s dribble and neat finish.

And they should have claimed a point in the final seconds only to be denied by the teen keeper Donnarumma throwing himself full length to his left to keep out Belotti’s well-struck spotkick, after Milan defender Gabriel Paletta had been sent off.

Champions Juventus got their bid for a record sixth straight title off to a winning start with a 2-1 defeat of Fiorentina on Saturday, with 90-million-euro striker Gonzalo Higuain marking his debut with the winner.

Roma, Juve’s biggest rivals in recent seasons, also started strongly with a 4-0 thrashing of Udinese thanks to a penalty double from Argentinian midfielder Diego Perotti and strikes from Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah.

Napoli, who pipped Roma for second place last season, were in action later Sunday at Serie A newcomers Pescara.

Inter Milan travel to Chievo for their first competitive match under new boss Frank de Boer.