Milan followed up their opening-day win with a 2-0 victory over Venezia at San Siro, with Alexis Saelemaekers making the difference from the bench and Gonçalo Ramos getting off the mark.
It was not a fluent display against the newly-promoted side, the kind of opponent that gave the Rossoneri trouble last season, but Ruben Amorim's men found a way through and banked three more points.
Saelemaekers was the standout, rated 7 and named man of the match. He made an impact the moment he arrived, whipping in a cross for Ramos that went unconverted, then setting up both goals: his link-up with the No.9 preceded the opener before he released Marco Jashari for the second. Effectively two assists off the bench.
Ramos took his rating of 6.5 despite an evening that could have been far more comfortable. He broke the deadlock with a tidy left-footed finish, but the misses came first, three big chances in the first half alone if the offside cross is counted, plus a header after the break. The goal mattered more than the profligacy on the night, though the finishing will need to sharpen.
At the back, Pavlović caught the eye with a 7, stepping up for blocks and last-ditch clearances while offering something going forward. One first-half block stood out, stopping what most inside the ground thought was a Venezia opener. Alongside him, Gila earned a 7 after a revision, growing into the game and drawing cheers from the crowd for his willingness to carry the ball and attempt difficult passes.
Koni De Winter had a mixed night at 6, caught out at times by loose marking and short of physical presence, before improving in the second half with some firm tackles. Maignan was rated 6.5, rarely properly tested but showing his reading of the game late on with a high position to snuff out a certain one-on-one.
In midfield, Luka Modrić drew a 5.5, looking rusty and short of sharpness, with some careless giveaways suggesting he is not yet at full fitness. Yunus Musah's 6 reflected a solid, tidier showing, unlucky to strike the bar early on. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was flagged as too quiet at 5.5, a familiar note after the Torino game, with only the occasional flick and one simple pass to Ramos to show for it.
Among the younger players, Chukwueze took a 6 for a threat in one-on-ones that did not quite translate into end-product, while Davide Bartesaghi did the necessary at 6. Cissé, at 6, impressed with his strength in duels for his age, an asset Milan can build on even if the final ball was lacking.
Off the bench, Adrien Rabiot scored a 6 for his involvement in both phases, and Jashari took a 6, lively on his run for the goal even if the finish should have been cleaner. Pervis Estupiñán and Matteo Gabbia were not on long enough to rate.
Amorim was given a 6.5, credited for simply getting past the type of opponent that tripped Milan up last term, with chances created early and substitutes who changed the game.
Two wins from two, and the finishing aside, Amorim will take the start his side have made.