Milan's 2-2 Stalemate with Pisa: Title Bid Tested at San Siro

A stumble at San Siro: Milan held to draw by Pisa

Luka Modrić, the Croatian star of Milan, voiced frustration after his side squandered two precious points in a 2-2 draw with Pisa, the promoted side this season to Serie A, at San Siro in the eighth round.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, the veteran was clear about the performance and the mentality required to challenge for the Scudetto.

Milan controlled the first 45 minutes and created several chances, but failed to widen the margin before their second-half collapse opened the door for the visitors to turn the game around.

Modrić, after the game, said: 'We should have decided the match in the first half. We played well, but we scored only one goal. Then the second half began with a drop in intensity, with the penalty and the goal.'

'This is football. Even if you're stronger and deserve to win, anything can happen... but with all due respect to Pisa, Milan should win these games.'

The 40-year-old emphasised that Milan were fully responsible, refusing to look for excuses: 'The only mistake is that we did not win; we dropped two important points today. These matches on our home ground must be won. We are sad and angry we wasted a precious opportunity.'

Pisa defended man-to-man to disrupt Milan's rhythm, forcing Modrić and Samuel Ricci to swap positions in midfield.

The Croatian added: 'They played man-to-man; we changed positions to create space and confuse them. It worked for most of the match, but we must improve. I must adapt, and as a team we must play with more intensity. At home, we should finish these games.'

Modrić warned that points dropped in this type of match can weigh heavily later in the season.

Pisa stands firm against the onslaught

After this draw, Opta's statistics show Pisa have not lost to Milan in their Serie A history on just three occasions, having drawn with Milan in January 1989 (0-0 at San Siro) and December 1983 (0-0 at Arena), and they have not been beaten by the Rossoneri in 10 prior meetings.

Stories of struggle against promoted teams have haunted Milan this season. In this campaign they have faced two promoted sides and come away with little reward.

Milans season: a domestic focus amid European uncertainty

Milan's campaign started with an unexpected home loss to Cremonese, then a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Pisa, leaving the Rossoneri with just one point from six against promoted sides.

With last season's failure to secure a Champions League place and an exit from the European spots, Milan are not competing in any continental competition this season. The Rossoneri have focused on the domestic league and Coppa Italia, which some see as a chance to rebuild away from European pressure.

The campaign opened with a win against Bari in the Coppa Italia, while in Serie A they began with a 2-1 loss to Cremonese. Subsequently, they won four in a row against Lecce (2-0), Bologna (1-0), Udinese (3-0) and Napoli (2-1), then drew 0-0 with Juventus, and finally edged Fiorentina 2-1. Yet they again drew with Pisa in round eight, threatening to widen the gap to Inter, Napoli and Roma at the top.

In the league Milan have scored 13 and conceded 6, sitting top on 16 points, a single point ahead of Inter, Napoli and Roma, who chase from second to fourth on goal difference.

Three title contenders remain within reach this week, threatening to topple Milan from the summit. Christian Pulisic remains Milan's top scorer with four goals and two assists; Modrić remains a central pillar, with two assists and a couple of decisive passes, including one that set up a dramatic late equaliser for Milan against Pisa. He also helped set up another teammate with a pass that sparked a late equaliser against Pisa, bringing Milan back from the brink.

Punchline 1: If Milan keeps drawing, the only trophy they’ll lift this season might be the coffee cup at halftime.

Punchline 2: Modrić at forty still threads passes like a surgeon; the clock at the end of the game is the only thing younger than him.