AC Milan traveled to Pisa today to kickoff matchday 25 in Serie A. The Rossoneri looked to take care of an easy win against Pisa, before moving on to Como at home on Wednesday. However, the visitors would be no push over as the game started fairly even between both teams.

AC Milan had more of the ball, but the two sides had the similar amount of chances. It looked like Pisa might be able to get a smash and grab win at home. However, that thought became a dream, when Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored Milan’s first goal from a header in the 39th minute. This goal would be the only thing separating the two at the break however.

Despite, being ahead Massimiliano Allegri would make an attacking change at halftime for Milan. Christopher Nkunku would be bought off for Niclas Fullkrug. Fullkrug would manage two minutes after coming on, however the goal would be ruled out due to handball.

Fullkrug would have another chance to double Milan’s lead in the 55th minute, with a penalty. Milan won it when Stranjha Pavlovic was brought down from behind in the box. However, Fullkrug put the penalty just to the left of the post being unable to double Milan’s lead.

However, the second half wouldn’t be lopsided to Milan as Pisa would look for an equaliser. After putting pressure on Milan, they finally found a break in the 70th minute. Felipe Loyola would put away a tidy finish into the bottom right corner to give the homeside a chance for a point or more.

However, Milan would dash these hopes as Luka Modric would score off a 1-2 with from Samuele Ricci in the 84th minute. AC Milan would manage to hold on from their however, despite a late scare of going down to 10 men. Adrien Rabiot was sent of in added time, for a foul on the edge of Pisa’s box, which resulted in a poor free kick.

Player Ratings:

The Best:

Luka Modric – 7.5: Luka Modric managed to wind back the clock once again for AC Milan, as he had a stunning performance. He controlled the game for the full 90 minutes, which lead to him scoring the winner, creating the play he scored from with a Ricci assist.

Feleipe Loyola – 6.5: Feleipe Loyola was the key player for Pisa, as he covered the most ground in midfield. He was unlucky to concede the penalty which Fullkrug ultimately missed. However, he would write those wrongs with his goal.

Stranjha Pavlovic – 6.5: Stranjha Pavlovic was key from defence once again for AC Milan today. It is not only his defensive abilities which make him so valuable for Milan, but also his counter attacking nature, and how he is always pushing the ball up the pitch. This ultimately led him to winning the penalty for Milan today.

The Worst:

Niclas Fullkrug – 5: Niclas Fullkrug struggled after coming on at halftime, as his goal which was disallowed for his own handball would summarise his game. Fullkrug should have found the back of the net missing multiple chances for Milan including the penalty which was just poor.

Christoper Nkunku – 4.5: Nkunku struggled in the first half for the game for Milan as he failed to have a real impact. Most of Milan’s attack came from the midfield or the other striker Ruben Loftus-Cheek. This lead to him being bought off at halftime for Niclas Fullkrug.

Antonio Caracciolo – 4.5: Caracciolo might get thrown under the bus for a bad defensive performance for Pisa today as he was the worst. While they did make it difficult for Milan at times, for both goals the Rossoneri walked through them. Caracciolo needed to provide the pillar and the structure for Pisa as the captain and central centre back.

Pisa are set to host AC Milan on their return to Serie A. Today’s game will be the first time Pisa have hosted Milan in the league since 1991. In their last league meeting in Pisa, Milan managed a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Paolo Maldini. A similar result is likely on the cards with a 19th place Pisa and a 2nd place AC Milan.

However, Pisa managed to scrape a point in the reverse fixture in Milan. Two second half goals from Pisa had them set up to win but a Zachary Athekame would save a point for the hosts. A win today would be Pisa’s second and put them below Fiorentina on only goal difference.

But, Milan still need all three points if they want to keep up with Inter. The Rossoneri have an extended break coming into this game as there game against Como was delayed. Due to the San Siro being used for the Milan Cortina olympics, Milan had nowhere to play. However, this break isn’t exactly needed for a Milan team who haven’t lost a game this year.

Predicted Lineups

Pisa: 3-4-3

Simone Scuffet

This season was the second season, of the new format in European football, which added a round of 32 ties to Champions League football for teams that finish 9-24 in the league phase. In the Champions League 3 of the 4 teams finished in that zone with only Napoli, missing out finishing 30th.

Meanwhile, in the Europa league only Bologna finished in these places after a solid campaign saw them land 10th. Roma skipped this round all together by narrowly finishing in a top eight spot. The draw for both these tournaments have come out meaning each side will know who they will face.

Inter Milan – Bodo Glimt:

Inter Milan will face Bodo Glimt in the round of 32 of the Champions league. Bodo Glimt is one of the hardest places to travel too in the Champions League, but a win away is possible with Juventus doing it this season. Bodo Glimt are also capable of upsetting Europe’s top teams, having beat Atletico Madrid and Manchester City this season.

The first leg is also at a bid time for Inter, with them facing Juventus a few days before, in what should be a grueling match. However playing Lecce before the second leg should allow them to rest some key players. Inter and Bodo Glimt have only ever played twice in history, in 1978 with Inter winning both games.

Juventus – Galatasaray:

Juventus will face Galatasaray, in the round of 32 inbetween two tough Serie A fixtures. Juventus will play Inter the week before the first leg and Turkey. They will then host Como inbetween the two legs, no easy game considering they lost the reverse fixture to Como.

Galatasaray also won’t be a walkover Juventus being first in the Turkish Super Lig. Galatasaray also managed to beat rening Premier League champions, Liverpool this season in the Champions League. Juventus have played Galatasaray, three times with each time winning one game, and the other being a draw.

Atalanta – Borussia Dortmund:

Atalanta drew Borussia Dortmund in the round of 32 in a fixture, which will likely see them be the underdogs, despite being the higher seed. The La Dea will have a slight advantage as they earned the right to play the second leg of the tie in Bergamo. However, the Serie A schedule of Atalanta’s.

Atalanta will have to travel to the capital to play Lazio, before the first fixture which isn’t an easy game. In between the games, they will then have to host the Scudetto holders Napoli. Atalanta and Dortmund have faced twice, sharing one win each in their faceoffs.

Bologna – Brann:

Bologna is the second Serie A team to draw a Norwegian side, following Inter Milan. Bologna and Brann have already played this season, in a nil-nil draw in Bologna. This game was the only ever time the two teams faced off against each other, in their history.

The Rossoblu have the easiest run of games inbetween the two matches, facing Torino away and then Udinese at home, as soft fixture could help them advance through to the round of 16. Bologna still have the possibility of facing Roma in an all Italy clash in the next round if they should advance.