Modric's assist in injury time saved Milan to a 2-2 draw in Serie A.
Leao opened the scoring in the 7th minute, Pisa equalized 1-1 from a controversial penalty and then took the lead in the 86th minute; Modric provided an assist in the 90+3 minute for Akethame to secure a point for Milan at San Siro.
AC Milan dropped points at home at San Siro, drawing 2-2 with newly promoted Pisa in the 2025/26 Serie A season. The match ended dramatically: Pisa equalized with a controversial penalty, took the lead in the 86th minute before Luka Modric assisted Akethames in the 90+3 minute to secure a draw.
Key events: Leao unlocks the ball, Pisa protests via VAR.
Max Allegri started with Luka Modric, aiming to widen the gap at the top of the table. Milan dominated from the start and quickly capitalized on their momentum. In the 7th minute, Ricci played a through pass to Rafael Leao on the left flank; the familiar Portuguese striker cut inside and finished to open the scoring. This was Leao's third goal in just his last two Serie A matches, showing his resurgence after injury.
Milan controlled the game for most of the time, but the turning point came after about an hour. De Winter's handball in the penalty area led referee Luca Zufferli to award a penalty to Pisa. VAR called for a review, but the initial decision was upheld. Cuadrado successfully converted the penalty in the 60th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.
Turning point in the final moments: Nzola punishes, controversy continues.
The conceded goal spurred Milan to attack. Just three minutes after Pisa's penalty, Leao hit the crossbar after a move initiated by Modric and a backheel by Fofana. Shortly after, Leao appealed for a penalty after being stopped by Caracciolo, but the referee ignored him.
By pushing their lines forward, Milan left gaps in their defense. In the 86th minute, Pisa counter-attacked and Nzola capitalized on a defensive error to beat Maignan, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead. The play had previously seen Aebischer collide with Gabbia, causing the Milan defender to fall; VAR checked but found no foul.
Modric's moment: a pass from the man who controls the tempo.
In a chase for the lead, Milan found an equalizer in the 90+3 minute thanks to Modric. From a short corner kick taken by Ricci, Modric calmly controlled the ball, creating space in the second line before passing to Akethame. The Swiss defender's shot deflected off an opponent, leaving goalkeeper Semper rooted to the spot: 2-2.
Tactical analysis: Modric as the playmaker, the left wing as the spearhead.
Milan established an early advantage thanks to Modric's orchestration: drawing the ball to the left wing, connecting with Ricci and Leao to create runs into the box – a familiar tactic that led to the opening goal in the 7th minute. The flexibility between the three lines allowed Leao to receive the ball in one-on-one situations, while Modric chose the right moments to increase or decrease the tempo.
After Pisa's equalizer, Allegri pushed his team forward, increasing the directness of the game through short passes down the left flank. Leao's shot hitting the crossbar stemmed from Modric's reading of the ball and Fofana's first touch – illustrating the intention to accelerate in the final third of the pitch.
Milan's weakness lies in their counter-attacking phases. When the wingers push deep and the distance between the center-backs and the defensive midfielders is stretched, Pisa exploits the space: Nzola's goal in the 86th minute was a result of a delay in covering after losing possession.
Statistics and notable cases
- Score: Milan 2-2 Pisa.
- Goals: Leao 7th minute; Cuadrado 60th minute (penalty); Nzola 86th minute; Akethame 90+3rd minute.
- VAR intervened in two crucial incidents: a penalty for De Winter's handball; and a collision between Aebischer and Gabbia before the 1-2 goal, both upholding the on-field decisions.
- Leao's shot hit the crossbar after a Modric-Fofana combination immediately following Pisa's equalizer, making it 1-1.
- Referee: Luca Zufferli.
Impact and context
The result meant Milan missed the opportunity to widen their lead at the top of Serie A in 2025/26. For Pisa – who were bottom of the table before the match and had yet to win a game – a point at San Siro was a crucial morale boost.
In terms of personnel, Allegri received the Coach of the Month award for September, while Christian Pulisic was named Player of the Month but was unavailable due to injury – a absence that affected the team's ability to create chances on the right wing. In this context, Modric continued to be the playmaker, while Leao was the main attacking threat on the left wing.
Referee's angle and VAR
The decision to award a penalty for De Winter's handball was controversial due to the new rules interpretation, but VAR upheld the ruling on the pitch. In the 1-2 goal, the collision between Aebischer and Gabbia was reviewed but not deemed a foul. These two VAR interventions highlight the harshness of details at the Serie A level: Milan dominated the game but had to settle for a draw due to fragile moments.
Conclude
On a night where Milan created plenty of pressure and their left-wing attacks were effective, they still needed Modric's late finishing to salvage a point. The 2-2 draw was a reminder of the balance between attack and control of transitions – a factor that will shape Allegri's title race in the coming rounds.
