Looking to extend their early lead at the top of Serie A, AC Milan will host lowly Pisa on Friday.
First will play last at San Siro, where the Rossoneri’s weekend win over Fiorentina saw them leapfrog Roma, reigning champions Napoli and city rivals Inter Milan.
Match preview
Seven games unbeaten across all competitions, Milan have now picked up 16 points in Serie A, following Sunday’s spirited comeback against Fiorentina.
The home side were trailing by one just after the hour mark, when talisman Rafael Leao made a decisive impact, scoring twice to decide the game in their favour.
Remarkably, his first strike broke a Serie A drought at San Siro of some 17 months, and that served as a catalyst to secure maximum points from the spot.
Unburdened by midweek European fixtures, returning coach Massimiliano Allegri has made a fine start to his second reign in Milan, and he has already had to quell talk of a potential Scudetto challenge.
With Leao fit and firing up front – plus Luka Modric pulling the strings in midfield – fans of the Rossoneri may think a little differently, so they will expect to see a fourth straight home win on Friday.
Having beaten Bologna, Napoli and then the Viola – even with a significant injury list – Milan are expected to take care of business against newly promoted opponents.
History is certainly on the hosts’ side, as Pisa have previously played Milan 12 times at Italy’s top level, losing on 10 occasions and only picking up two points.
Indeed, the Tuscan club have failed to even score nine times across those contests, mirroring their fortunes in this season’s Serie A.
Pisa have recorded just three goals and three points so far – their worst-ever start to a top-flight campaign – and they are still awaiting a first league win since gaining promotion.
Alberto Gilardino’s men did keep a rare clean sheet last time out, but they still failed to defeat likely relegation rivals Hellas Verona on home turf.
A disappointing 0-0 draw left them stuck at the foot of the standings, level on points with Genoa and old foes Fiorentina.
As the Nerazzurri have conceded eight goals while losing two of their first three away games, finally ending their success drought at San Siro will be a very tall task.
Team News
Milan may hold the Serie A summit, but they also have a long absence list that will restrict Allegri’s options on Friday.
Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan and Ardon Jashari are all sidelined, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is still struggling with a muscular strain and has been training individually.
In better news for the Rossoneri, Christopher Nkunku should be fit enough to play some part, having missed out against Fiorentina with a toe injury sustained while playing for France.
The Frenchman might be used as an impact substitute, with Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez expected to start up front.
Meanwhile, Pisa can recall Idrissa Toure, who was suspended last week, so he could reclaim his place on the right flank.
Once again, Calvin Stengs (adductor), Tomas Esteves (adductor) and Mateus Lusuardi (knee) are all unavailable due to injury – the latter has just been ruled out until 2026.
Thus far, ex-Milan striker Gilardino has kept faith with the Nerazzurri’s misfiring front pair, M’Bala Nzola and Stefano Moreo; Inter loanee Ebenezer Akinsanmiro is set to feature in midfield
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Leao, Gimenez
Pisa possible starting lineup:
Semper; Canestrelli, Albiol, Caracciolo; Toure, Akinsanmiro, Aebischer, Marin, Leris; Moreo; Nzola
