LOOKING TO SECURE TOP SPOT

After a hard fought win over Fiorentina last Sunday, Milan find themselves currently occupying top spot in Serie A and, with another home game against bottom side Pisa this Friday, the Rossoneri will be looking to cement their position as league leaders in round eight.

Match Details

• Fixture: AC Milan vs Pisa
• Date: Sunday 24 October 2025
• Kick-off: 20:45 local time at San Siro, Milan
• Competition: Serie A (Matchday 8)

Context & Stakes from Milan’s Perspective

• Milan are sitting at the top of the Serie A table and will hope to consolidate their position. They currently lead the league outright and will view this home tie as an opportunity to extend their advantage to four points.
• Pisa, newly promoted, are struggling badly: winless in the league so far, with major offensive shortcomings.
• For Milan this is a must-win home fixture: dominance expected, pressure to impose their style and not allow an upset.

Team News

• Forward Christopher Nkunku has returned to full training after a minor left foot issue, and is available for selection — though he is expected to start on the bench.
• Midfielder Ruben Loftus‑Cheek remains unavailable due to a muscular strain, and will not be involved.
• Left-back Pervis Estupiñán is still absent with an ankle injury from international duty, so Milan will again be without him with Davide Bartesaghi set to keep his place at wing-back after showing good recent form.
• A number of other squad absences continue: Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, and Ardon Jashari are also sidelined.

Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Gimenez, Leao.

Key Strengths for Milan to Exploit

1. Home form & dominance
   • Milan have been very strong at home: four victories in a row, with eight goals scored and just two conceded.
   • The historical head-to-head shows a strong home advantage, with the last fixture between the two sides coming in 1990/91 - a league match in which Milan won 1-0. Milan also won the reverse fixture by the same scoreline. Overall, there have been 16 games between Milan and Pisa, with Friday's visitors having not won any of them - Milan (13), Draws (3).
2. Defensive solidity
   • Recent matches show Milan conceding very few goals - 3 all season. Keeping clean sheets has been a frequent feature under Allegri.
   • Against a Pisa team that is failing to score regularly, Milan’s defence will be looking to dominate. Another shut-out could be on the cards.
3. Attacking quality & momentum
   • Milan are scoring enough goals and have players in good form; their midfield and attack should be superior to Pisa’s defensive setup.
   • Given Pisa’s weak offensive output, Milan can afford to press, take risks and control the game early.

Potential Weaknesses / Watch-points

• Injury/Availability issues: Milan may still have some absences which could affect depth and rotation - though the Rossoneri should still be far too strong for the opposition.
• Complacency risk: Facing a weaker side might lead to a slower start, and Pisa could attempt to disrupt rhythm with physicality or set-pieces. The visitors are likely to have all eleven men behind the ball from the off.
• Under-estimating opponents: Pisa will likely defend deep and look for counter-attacks; Milan must not open themselves up unnecessarily.

Tactical Outlook

• Milan are likely to dominate possession, press high, use width and creative midfielders to unlock Pisa. Expect a formation that emphasises control in midfield and attacking transitions.
• Pisa will likely set up conservatively, perhaps in a low block, hoping to frustrate Milan and perhaps exploit spaces on the break. Milan must stay compact when Pisa recover the ball.
• A Milan early goal could open the game up; if the score stays goalless for a long time though, the pressure might increase as Pisa seek to hold on for a point.

Key Players to Watch

• Rafael Leao: On the back of a brace against Fiorentina, the Rossoneri talisman should be in high spirits - which often spells danger for the opposition!
• Luka Modric: Should he not be rested for this one, the Croatian international will once again provide the key to opening up the Pisa back line.
• Santiago Gimenez: Should he start, the Mexican forward will see this as a great opportunity to get back on the goal trail - with chances likely to be at a premium for the hosts.

Prediction & What to Expect

• Given everything, Milan are heavy favourites (odds of 2/7 with most bookmakers). A dominant home win is very plausible. Many previews suggest a margin of at least two goals.
• While Milan should score and win convincingly, they must respect the fixture and avoid surprises. If they do, I can only see an easy home win and will therefore go with a 3-0 scoreline as my prediction for this one .
• Expect Milan to control the game, likely score early, and then manage tempo. Both teams scoring is less likely given Pisa’s attacking struggles.

The game is exclusively live in the UK on DAZN.