Leao shines, Cuadrado inspires Pisa comeback, and Athekame redeems himself in a dramatic draw at San Siro.
Milan stumble again at San Siro
After the shock against Cremonese, Milan once again dropped points at home — this time against newly promoted Pisa. Despite an early lead and near-total control for most of the game, the Rossoneri needed a 93rd-minute equalizer to avoid a disastrous defeat.
Rafael Leao opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a low cross-shot that surprised Semper, with Pavlovic deemed not to be interfering from an offside position. Milan dominated the first half, spending long stretches in the Pisa half but failing to kill the game.
Everything changed on the hour mark. Cuadrado’s shot from distance struck De Winter’s arm, and after a VAR check, referee Zufferli pointed to the spot. The Colombian converted to make it 1–1, sparking life into a match that had seemed one-sided. Moments later, Leao nearly restored Milan’s lead, rattling the crossbar with a powerful right-footed effort.
Massimiliano Allegri turned to his bench but played it safe, introducing Nkunku for an ineffective Gimenez. That caution backfired: in the 87th minute, Akinsamiro found Nzola with a perfect through ball, and the striker beat Maignan to complete the turnaround.
But Pisa’s joy was short-lived. Deep into stoppage time, Athekame — at fault for keeping Nzola onside — made amends with a precise long-range strike that kissed the post before nestling into the net. Milan salvaged a point, but questions continue to swirl around Allegri’s tactical approach and his team’s killer instinct.
Match Report
Serie A – Round 9
San Siro, Milan
Milan 2–2 Pisa
Scorers: 7′ Leao (M), 60′ Cuadrado (P, pen.), 87′ Nzola (P), 90+3′ Athekame (M)
Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi (76′ Athekame); Gimenez (76′ Nkunku), Leao.
Coach: Allegri
Pisa (3-4-1-2): Semper; Canestrelli, Albiol (46′ Calabresi), Caracciolo; Toure, Akinsamiro, Aebischer, Bonfanti (46′ Cuadrado); Tramoni (71′ Vural); Meister (71′ Moreo), Nzola.
Coach: Gilardino
Referee: Zufferli
Booked: Aebischer, Athekame, Vural, Nzola
