Spooky season: wizardry on the wings
Halloween is a time for costumes and monsters, a season where you should expect the unexpected. Serie A Enilive honoured the tradition in its own way, introducing two players who could become the stars of tomorrow. Diego Moreira and Kerim Alajbegović didn’t need to wear a mask to terrify their opponents: their talent, fearlessness and outstanding left feet were enough to make the difference in their teams’ big matches against Inter and Napoli.
Two young wingers, two different stories and one shared stage. Both had already shown glimpses of exceptional ability, but they needed a special occasion to turn their promise into something more tangible. For these two players, Halloween weekend proved to be full of more treats than tricks.
Moreira, a night to remember
Diego Moreira turned the Derby della Madonnina on its head with a performance that AC Milan fans will remember for years to come. One goal and two assists gave him a direct hand in three Rossoneri goals, making him only the second AC Milan player in the last 20 years to achieve that feat in a Serie A derby against Inter. The first was Rafael Leão, who scored twice and provided an assist on 3 September 2022.
The former Strasbourg winger led the early onslaught as Amorim's AC Milan caught Chivu's Inter off guard. First, he left Carlos Augusto for dust on the flank and delivered a perfectly weighted cross for Pulisic to head the Rossoneri in front. He then whipped in the corner that led to Rabiot's goal. With explosive bursts of speed, sharp turns, driving runs and constant changes of pace, Moreira tormented the Nerazzurri defence throughout the opening half-hour, turning his side of the pitch into a relentless source of danger.
But the best was yet to come. A few minutes before half-time, with the blessing of Modrić and Pulisic, the team's two strongest technical players, Moreira stepped up to take a free kick from the edge of the box. It was far from an obvious choice: the Belgian had never scored from a set piece in his career. But that hardly seemed to matter. He had practised the same shot during the warm-up and did not hesitate when his chance arrived. A curling left-footed strike found the net to make it three for the Rossoneri.
It was a goal that ended a long wait in the history of the Derby della Madonnina. The last AC Milan player to score directly from a free kick in a league derby was Andrea Pirlo in 2007. More recently, Theo Hernández achieved the same feat in the Supercoppa Italiana final in January 2025.
An already special evening became even more significant thanks to a symbolic connection with one of the most iconic number 22s in AC Milan's history. Before kick-off, San Siro had welcomed back Ricardo Kaká, who was honoured by the club in front of his former fans. Watching from the stands, the Brazilian then witnessed the emergence of another Rossoneri number 22, in what was an emotional moment for the former star. Two different players from two different eras, united by the same shirt number and similarities on the pitch that immediately captured the fans' imagination.
Number 22 and dream debuts
Kaká, too, had made an impression on the Rossoneri fans during his first Derby della Madonnina. On 5 October 2003, just weeks after arriving from São Paulo, the Brazilian headed home AC Milan's second goal in a 3-1 win over Inter. It was his first-ever goal for the Rossoneri, and the beginning of what would become a legendary story.
Kaká would make his mark again in the return fixture, scoring the equaliser in a memorable match where AC Milan came from 2-0 down to win 3-2, a victory which was sealed by a strike from Seedorf. It was the start of a special relationship with the derby, in which the future Ballon d'Or winner would register five goals and two assists in seven appearances.
Alongside Kaká and Moreira, a rather more unlikely derby goalscorer, Mateo Musacchio, also sported the number 22 shirt. He found the net in the second league derby of the 2018/19 season, which Inter won 3-2.
Moreira's performance also deserves a place among AC Milan's most memorable derby debuts. Before Kaká, Andriy Shevchenko had marked his first appearance in the fixture on 23 October 1999 by coming off the bench to score the equaliser, sparking a comeback completed by Weah. It was the opening chapter in the story of a player who would go on to become the derby's all-time leading goalscorer.
In September 2008, meanwhile, Ronaldinho scored the winning goal in his first derby with a header from a Kaká assist, his first goal for the Rossoneri. More recent, but just as unforgettable, was Olivier Giroud's derby debut in February 2022. His brace turned the match around and proved to be crucial in helping Pioli's AC Milan win the Scudetto that season.
Special mention also goes to Zlatan Ibrahimović and Ronaldo, both of whom scored on their derby debuts for both Milan clubs.
These illustrious predecessors help put Moreira's impact into perspective. The Belgian has already scored four goals in his first six appearances in Serie A this season, matching his tally from the entire previous Ligue 1 campaign, in which he played 27 matches. The numbers reflect the progress of a player whose full potential is still waiting to be discovered.
Alajbegović, a moment of brilliance to revitalise Juventus
Twenty-four hours after the Derby della Madonnina, another young winger left his mark on Halloween weekend. Kerim Alajbegović, one of Juventus' most intriguing and enigmatic summer signings, lit up the match between Juventus and Napoli with an extraordinarily stunning goal.
At the Allianz Stadium, with the score stuck at 0-0 and the pressure of a poor league position making every touch more significant, Juventus needed someone to take a risk and produce something unexpected, without allowing the tension to dictate their play.
Alajbegović brought exactly that touch of fearlessness. In the 70th minute, the Bosnian collected a pass from Zeghrova, drove towards goal and accelerated forward with the ball glued to his feet. Reaching the corner of the penalty area, he unleashed a fierce, precise left-footed strike across goal that caught Meret off guard and flew into the top corner. It was a sudden flash of technical brilliance that broke the deadlock and brought a previously subdued stadium to life.
It was the goal that changed the match, paving the way for a Juventus victory and three vital points. A goal born from the courage to take matters into his own hands when the match appeared to offer no other way to win.
At 19 years and 41 days old, Alajbegović became the youngest foreign goalscorer in the history of Juventus vs. Napoli in Serie A. Not only that, but with at least one goal and one assist to his name, he is also the youngest player to have contributed directly to at least two goals across Europe's top five leagues this season.
With Yıldız absent, Juventus discovered they could rely on another hugely talented winger to deliver moments of inspiration. Against Napoli, Alajbegović showcased his dribbling, link-up play and shooting ability, but above all the confidence to make his mark when the stakes are at their highest.
Two left feet, two moments of magic and two crucial victories. This Halloween, it was these two players who gave everyone the biggest fright.