Cisse’s Salzburg hat-trick gives Milan a new leading scorer

Alphadjo Cisse has turned Milan’s 4-0 European win at Salzburg into a personal landmark: his three goals took him to five this season and made him the club’s top scorer. At 19 years and 358 days, he also became the youngest Italian to score at least three times in a single match in a major European competition.

Cisse opened the scoring in the 15th minute, heading in Hutchinson’s cross. He then finished left-footed from Davide Bartesaghi’s assist before completing his hat-trick with a right-footed goal in the second half. The different finishes gave Milan a clear return from their young forward, whose earlier goals this season came against Torino and Juventus.

The result was Milan’s first European victory under manager Amorim. Cisse’s performance also brought a club milestone: no Italian Milan player had scored a hat-trick since Filippo Inzaghi against Deportivo in September 2002. Supporters voted Cisse the match’s MVP on the club’s official app, following his previous MVP award against Juventus in Turin.

The Salzburg display adds to a run of recognition for the 2006-born forward. He finished second in the September Emirates MVP fan vote and has also scored for Italy’s Under-21 side. The more immediate measure, though, is his five goals for Milan: he now leads the team’s scoring charts after strikes against Torino, Juventus and Salzburg.

That gives Milan a standout goalscorer as they return to their domestic campaign. They are fifth in Serie A with 12 points from six matches, having won three and drawn three, and remain unbeaten. Cisse’s next test comes at home against Atalanta on Sunday, 18 October. His European hat-trick has made him Milan’s leading scorer; the next match is an opportunity to carry that impact into the league.