Overview
Milan is still Inter's closest chasing opponent in the Scudetto race this season. They are currently 8 points behind their city rivals but have one match to play.
Since the unexpected defeat to Cremonese on the opening day, Milan has been unbeaten in the next 22 matches in Serie A - the longest unbeaten streak taking place in the top 5 European leagues.
Since August, Milan has only lost two more times in cup competitions. That is the defeat to Napoli in the Italian Super Cup and the defeat to Lazio in the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia.
Notably, if they win this week, they will reach the second highest score in the corresponding period of any season in the 21st century, just behind the impressive 61 points record in 2004.
In the most recent round, Milan defeated a declining Bologna with a score of 3-0 at home, thereby avenging the bitter defeat to Rossoblu in the cup final last season.
Due to the controversial match with Como being postponed, while San Siro hosts the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, coach Max Allegri's team has a few more days to recover.
However, as the decisive Derby della Madonnina is approaching, Milan is not allowed to stumble.
In their first meeting in the national championship after 34 years, Pisa drew 2-2 with Milan in October last year. Only Zachary Athekame's equalizer in injury time prevented Pisa from creating a resounding victory right at San Siro.
However, the representative of the Tuscany region has never defeated Milan in Serie A, with a disappointing record of 3 draws and 10 losses.
Currently 6 points behind the safe group, Pisa's Serie A comeback campaign has only had one victory. Coach Alberto Gilardino was sacked before the match against Hellas Verona last week - an opponent who is also struggling in the relegation battle.
At home, they have also not brought much to reassure fans. Pisa only scored one goal in the first 10 home matches, before scoring in both of the most recent matches.
With limited coaching experience, Hiljemark is facing a huge task, and not many people believe that Pisa can create a significant challenge for Milan.
Personnel situation
Milan had a rare full week off. Therefore, key striker Christian Pulisic is likely to return, and important full-back Alexis Saelemaekers may also be present.
If Saelemaekers overcome the hamstring problem, Milan will only have Santiago Gimenez absent due to injury.
In attack, besides Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku, Niclas Fullkrug and Rafael Leao are competing for the two highest positions. Meanwhile, Ruben Loftus-Cheek once played the attacking role in the match against Bologna.
On the other side, Rafiu Durosinmi, the January newcomer, has directly participated in two of Pisa's last three home goals. Overall, Stefano Moreo is their best scorer with 5 goals.
Regarding the force, Raul Albiol, Daniel Denoon and Isak Vural are still in the process of treating injuries. Number one goalkeeper Adrian Semper is still uncertain to play, while Marius Marin must serve a one-match suspension.
Expected lineup:
Scuffet, Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov, Toure, Loyola, Aebischer, Angori, Stojilkovic, Moreo, Durosinmi.
AC Milan: Maignan, De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Athekame, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi, Nkunku, Leao.
The match between Pisa and AC Milan takes place at 2:45 am on February 14 (Vietnam time).
