AC Milan started 2026 with a hard-fought 1-0 away victory over Cagliari on the Unipol Domus, a consequence that briefly lifted the Rossoneri to the summit of the Serie A desk. Coming into the match, Milan had been eager to keep up momentum after latest constructive outcomes, having additionally proven their rising squad depth following the official mortgage signing of Niclas Füllkrug.
In opposition to a disciplined Cagliari facet, Milan managed 54 per cent of possession however discovered clear possibilities troublesome to return by in a cagey first half. SoftFootball tipped the guests to proceed their sturdy league run as they give the impression of being to increase their unbeaten streak in opposition to Cagliari, but the hosts began brightly.
Marco Palestra and Michel Adopo examined Milan’s focus early on, whereas the Rossoneri struggled to seek out rhythm earlier than the break. A late first-half penalty determination initially went Milan’s approach, solely to be overturned for offside, underlining a irritating opening 45 minutes for Massimiliano Allegri’s facet.
The breakthrough arrived 5 minutes into the second half, and it got here from Milan’s talisman. Rafael Leão, coming back from a three-game harm absence, completed a slick transfer within the fiftieth minute.
Youssouf Fofana threaded a sensible go into Adrien Rabiot, whose low cut-back discovered Leão on the far submit. The Portuguese winger confirmed composure to regulate earlier than firing into the roof of the online, registering his sixth Serie A aim in opposition to Cagliari.
Allegri managed Leão’s minutes rigorously, withdrawing him on 69 minutes for Füllkrug, who made his Milan debut. The German striker almost marked the event with an help when he teed up Christian Pulisic late on, however Elia Caprile produced a high quality save.
Luka Modrić additionally examined the Cagliari goalkeeper from a free kick as Milan sought respiration house. Cagliari pushed with out conviction within the closing phases, managing only one shot heading in the right direction all evening. Milan’s defence, marshalled by Fikayo Tomori and Mike Maignan, stood agency to safe a clear sheet.
The win, shared by the membership’s official X account, extends Milan’s spectacular unbeaten away run and retains them firmly within the title image, constructing on confidence gained from latest league successes, together with their dominant residence win over Hellas Verona earlier within the marketing campaign.
