PISA, ITALY — Luka Modric delivered a late hammer blow to rescue AC Milan from potential embarrassment, firing the visitors to a nerve-shredding 2-1 victory over bottom-dwellers Pisa at the Arena Garibaldi. The Croatian maestro's 85th-minute strike proved decisive in a chaotic encounter that saw the Rossoneri reduced to nine men in stoppage time, yet somehow emerge with all three points to maintain their pursuit of league leaders.
The opening exchanges belonged entirely to Milan, who pinned their hosts deep inside their own half with wave after wave of attacks. The Rossoneri's dominance was reflected in their stranglehold on possession, controlling 66.3% of the ball as Pisa struggled to establish any meaningful foothold in midfield. Yet for all their territorial superiority, clear-cut chances remained frustratingly elusive against a well-drilled defensive unit marshaled by Simone Canestrelli and Rosen Bozhinov.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 39th minute through Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who rose majestically to meet Zachary Athekame's pinpoint cross from the right flank. The English midfielder's header arrowed into the bottom left corner, giving goalkeeper Nicolas no chance and seemingly setting Milan on course for a comfortable afternoon. Athekame, operating with menace down the right channel, had been a constant thorn in Pisa's side, and his delivery was weighted to perfection for Loftus-Cheek's clinical finish.
The second half began with Milan in cruise control, and their dominance appeared set to be rewarded when Strahinja Pavlovic was bundled over in the penalty area by Felipe Loyola in the 54th minute. However, Niclas Füllkrug's spot-kick struck the left post, keeping Pisa's hopes alive against the odds. The miss would prove costly as the home side grew in confidence, sensing vulnerability in their illustrious opponents.
Pisa's persistence was rewarded in the 71st minute when Felipe Loyola atoned for his penalty concession with a composed finish from the center of the box. The goal ignited the home crowd and suddenly Milan's comfortable cushion had evaporated. The Rossoneri looked rattled, their earlier authority replaced by nervous energy as Pisa sensed an unlikely point was within reach.
Just as the match appeared destined for a share of the spoils, Modric conjured his moment of magic. The veteran midfielder, introduced to steady the ship, instead provided the knockout punch in the 85th minute. Samuele Ricci's clever pass dissected the Pisa defense, and Modric made no mistake, drilling his right-footed effort into the bottom right corner with the composure of a player half his age. The goal showcased why Milan had turned to their experienced campaigner when the stakes were highest.
The drama was far from over. Deep into stoppage time, Adrien Rabiot received his second yellow card for a foul on Gabriele Piccinini, leaving Milan to navigate the final moments with just nine men. The Frenchman's dismissal came after Davide Bartesaghi had already been cautioned in the 88th minute, and suddenly the visitors were clinging desperately to their slender advantage.
The statistics painted a picture of Milan's dominance but also their wastefulness. Despite registering seven shots to match Pisa's tally, the Rossoneri managed just two on target compared to their hosts' equal number. The visitors committed nine fouls to Pisa's 14 in what became an increasingly fractious encounter, with referee patience wearing thin as the match reached its climax. Pisa's three corners to Milan's solitary set-piece opportunity demonstrated the home side's willingness to push forward, particularly after drawing level.
Mike Maignan was called into action just once, making a crucial save to preserve Milan's lead during a nervy spell. The French goalkeeper's composure under pressure proved vital as Pisa threw bodies forward in search of an equalizer. At the other end, Nicolas was beaten twice but could take satisfaction from keeping his side competitive against opponents sitting 33 points ahead of them in the table.
The contrasting fortunes of the two clubs were laid bare by the final whistle. Milan, occupying second place with 35 points and boasting a goal difference of plus-14, had survived a genuine scare against a Pisa side languishing in 19th with just 11 points and a goal difference of minus-12. For the visitors, it was the kind of gritty, imperfect victory that championship challenges are built upon.
The win extends Milan's impressive form, building on recent triumphs over Bologna and Como, though the manner of victory will concern coach Stefano Pioli. Finishing with nine men against relegation-threatened opposition exposed defensive fragility that stronger opponents will ruthlessly exploit. For Pisa, the performance offered encouragement despite the defeat, demonstrating the fighting spirit required for their survival battle.
The Rossoneri march on, with Parma awaiting on February 22nd in what promises another stern examination of their title credentials. Pisa, meanwhile, must regroup quickly before facing Fiorentina on the same date, knowing performances like this give genuine hope of climbing away from the relegation mire.