MATCH REPORT | Cagliari-Milan 0-1

AC Milan won 1-0 at Cagliari with a goal early in the second half from Leao. The Rossoblu fought with courage and intensity but succumbed to the personality and experience of the Rossoneri following an unfortunate deflection.

THE CHOICES
Pisacane opts for Palestra and Esposito to support Kilicsoy, with Adopo and Prati flanking Mazzitelli in the middle, given Deiola’s forced layoff for finishing. Ahead of Caprile, the quartet of Zappa, Luperto, Rodriguez, and Obert will line up.

THE MATCH
The initial stages were spent studying the ball, but little happened, despite Cagliari pushing hard and trying to cause problems for an attentive and aggressive Milan. This came in the 30th minute when Adopo, fed by Esposito, headed the ball but found Maignan alert. Milan held the ball but failed to sting, and the stadium battled with the Rossoblu, who remained solid and eager to make their presence felt near the Rossoneri goal. In the 41st minute, Cagliari again with a nice move down the left, Mazzitelli’s shot from inside the box failed to scare Maignan. At halftime, the score was 0-0.

The second half was played without any changes, with Milan’s first shot coming in the 49th minute, with Loftus-Cheek heading high and central. And in the 50th minute, Leao scored: a Rossoneri transition that led to the Portuguese’s left-footed strike from inside the box.

The Rossoblu made their first moves in the 60th minute, with Idrissi and Borrelli replacing Obert and Prati. Milan pressed hard, and Cagliari reorganized with a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Esposito coming off for Gaetano shortly thereafter. The 65th minute saw Milan still ahead. Allegri brought on Ricci and Fullkrug for Fofana, and Leao in the 69th minute.

In the 71st minute, a dubious incident in the penalty area: Cagliari played a good move, Kilicsoy’s cross was met by Ricci’s hand, which the referee deemed to be near his body, but it was a corner. The 75th minute was a quiet one, with Milan bringing on Gabbia and Pulisic for Estupinan and Loftus-Cheek. In the 80th minute, Cagliari responded with Pavoletti and Cavuoti for Kilicsoy and Mazzitelli.

Cagliari’s final goal-scoring performance ended with Idrissi receiving a yellow card for a clash with Saelemaekers. In the 87th minute, Caprile made a good save from Pulisic after a fine move by Milan. Milan controlled the tempo and, in the 90th minute, Modric’s free kick was mocked by Caprile, who saved the ball as it curled behind the wall. Palestra and Saelemaekers were shown yellow cards for mutual misconduct, and the two teams left in the first minute of injury time. There were no further thrills, and the match went to Milan.