Milan Survives Defeat in Pisa, Zachary Athekame’s Late Goal Secures Victory
Serie A leaders AC Milan narrowly escaped a shocking home defeat after Zachary Athekame’s last-minute goal secured a 2-2 draw against bottom side Pisa. The Football Breakdown, will discuss the complete information below, check this out.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Athekame fired a low shot from outside the box that slipped through defenders and nestled inside the near post, sparking relief across the San Siro. His strike denied Pisa what would have been their first win in Milan since 1981.
The result prevented what could have been the upset of the Italian league season so far. Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, Milan struggled to find rhythm against a determined Pisa side that refused to back down. The late equalizer preserved Milan’s unbeaten home record and kept them top of the Serie A standings.
Athekame’s moment of brilliance came just when hope seemed lost. The young midfielder has steadily grown into a key figure for Milan, and his calmness under pressure once again proved vital in saving points for the Rossoneri.
Pulisic’s Absence Felt as Milan Struggles for Creativity
AC Milan entered the match as overwhelming favorites but were forced to play without their American star, Christian Pulisic, who missed out due to injury. His absence was clearly felt, as the team lacked their usual attacking spark and fluid movement in the final third. Without his pace and vision, Milan often looked predictable in their build-up play.
Rafael Leao gave Milan an early advantage just seven minutes into the match, finishing a clever attacking move to delight home supporters. However, after taking the lead, Milan’s intensity faded, and their inability to convert further chances left the door open for Pisa to fight back.
Head coach Stefano Pioli will be concerned by how disjointed his side appeared without Pulisic. His return will be crucial as Milan prepares for a difficult stretch of fixtures that could define their title ambitions.
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Pisa’s Courage Nearly Pays Off
Despite sitting at the bottom of the table, Pisa displayed tremendous courage and discipline throughout the match. After absorbing early pressure, they found their equalizer on the hour mark when Juan Cuadrado calmly converted a penalty. The goal boosted Pisa’s confidence and shifted the momentum away from Milan.
In the closing stages, M’Bala Nzola produced what seemed to be the winning moment. Controlling a long pass, he coolly slotted the ball under goalkeeper Mike Maignan to give Pisa a stunning 2-1 lead with just minutes remaining. The San Siro crowd fell silent as the visitors celebrated what appeared to be an unforgettable victory.
However, their dream was cut short by Athekame’s late strike, leaving Pisa to settle for a draw that still felt like a moral triumph for the newly promoted side.
Milan Stays on Top, but Questions Remain
Although Milan managed to salvage a point, the performance raised concerns about consistency and composure. Their defense looked shaky at times, and the midfield failed to control the tempo as effectively as expected. Pioli admitted after the match that his team must improve their game management, especially against lower-ranked opponents.
Still, the draw keeps Milan two points clear of Inter, Napoli, and Roma heading into the weekend fixtures. The result could serve as a wake-up call for a squad aiming to reclaim the Scudetto.
Meanwhile, Pisa’s fighting spirit lifted them off the bottom of the standings; they now sit with four points from nine games—a small but significant step forward. For Milan, Athekame’s late heroics masked their flaws, but the leaders will need sharper focus and more creativity if they hope to stay ahead in the title race. Also take advantage of your free time to explore more of the latest Serie A football news by simply clicking on footballtipsonline.co.uk.
