ROSSONERI TRIUMPH IN PISA
Serie A
AC Milan beat Pisa 2‑1 in a nail‑biter, securing another three points and extending their unbeaten run. In a tricky encounter with contrasting halves, Loftus‑Cheek opened the scoring from an Athekame cross shortly before half-time. Then, the second half was a lively affair, with Füllkrug's missed penalty bringing Pisa back into the game mentally and the hosts finding an equaliser through Loyola. However, Luka Modrić had the final say: the Croatian playmaker took centre stage, scoring the decisive goal with all his trademark class. Massimiliano Allegri's side once again demonstrated the right mentality and hunger for victory, something which had been clearly on show in their 3‑0 win at Bologna.
This match was far from straightforward, made even more difficult by Hilijemark's well‑organised Pisa side and key moments that could have swung the game. Füllkrug's missed spot-kick could have been a decisive blow, but AC Milan responded with both intensity and quality. Modrić was undoubtedly the standout performer - a technical leader and match-winner - while Pavlović also deserves praise for his incisive runs, including the forward burst that earned the penalty, and his defensive awareness. The Rossoneri take an important win on a matchday full of six-pointers for the teams around them in the table. Allegri's men remain second with 53 points, very well placed in the race for the Champions League. Their next fixture is just around the corner, with the rearranged matchday 24 clash against Como coming up on Wednesday.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM PISA v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
At the Cetilar Arena, the match was cagey and short on clear-cut chances until the half-hour mark, when Moreo played a vertical pass to Stojilković: Maignan was quick off his line, narrowing the angle with a low intervention, despite the striker being offside. AC Milan enjoyed plenty of possession but struggled to find space against a well-organised Pisa side. In the 39th minute, AC Milan took the lead with their first real opportunity: Modrić switched the play to Athekame, who delivered a precise cross into the centre of the box, where Loftus-Cheek powered home a header to make it 0-1 and break the deadlock. A first half which was lacking in major excitement ended with AC Milan in front.
The second half began at a high tempo. In the 47th minute, Füllkrug, who had just come on, won a loose ball and laid it off to Rabiot, who slotted it into the bottom corner, but referee Fabbri ruled the goal out for a handball by the German. In the 54th minute, AC Milan could have sealed the game: Pavlović made a driving run into the box and was fouled by Loyola, resulting in a penalty. Füllkrug stepped up, but his effort from the spot struck the outside of the post. Pisa responded and, in the 71st minute, equalised through Loyola, who reacted quickest in the area to a cross from Stojilković to make it 1-1. AC Milan pushed forward in search of a winner but struggled to create clear-cut chances. In the 85th minute, Modrić completed a one-two with Ricci, surged into the box with determination and scored to make it 1-2. In stoppage time, Rabiot received a second yellow card and was sent off.
MATCH DETAILS
PISA 1-2 AC MILAN
PISA (3-5-2): Nicolas; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Božhinov; Touré (86' Léris), Loyola (92' Durosinmi), Aebischer (57' Akisanmiro), Tramoni (57' Iling-Junior), Angori; Stojilković, Moreo (86' Piccinini). Subs: Guizzo, Luppichini; Calabresi, Coppola; Cuadrado, Højholt; Lorran, Meister, Stengs. Coach: Hiljemark.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlović; Athekame (77' Pulisic), Fofana (72 Ricci), Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Loftus-Cheek (72' Leão), Nkunku (46' Füllkrug). Subs: Pittarella, Terracciano; De Winter, Estupiñan, Odogu; Jashari. Coach: Allegri.
Refree: Fabbri from Ravenna.
Goals: 39' Loftus-Cheek (M), 71' Loyola (P), 85' Modrić (M).
Booked: 16' Touré (P), 88' Bartesaghi (M).
Sent off: 91' Rabiot (M).
Note: 57' penalty missed by Füllkrug (M).
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