Luka Modric struck a late winner for 10-man AC Milan against Pisa, keeping the Serie A title race alive and drawing praise from Massimiliano Allegri. The 40-year-old midfielder lifted Milan to a vital victory that moved the Rossoneri within five points of leaders Inter and extended their long unbeaten league run.
The match swung several times. Ruben Loftus-Cheek gave Milan the lead, before Felipe Loyola equalised on 71 minutes. Niclas Fullkrug then missed a second-half penalty, and Adrien Rabiot received a stoppage-time red card. Milan still closed out the win, stayed unbeaten away from home this season, and stretched their Serie A sequence to 23 games without defeat.
Modric decided the contest with five minutes left. Modric exchanged a sharp
one-two with Samuele Ricci inside the box, then delicately chipped over Nicolas from close range. At 40 years and 157 days, Modric became Serie A’s third-oldest scorer, behind Alessandro Costacurta and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, underlining an influential display in midfield.
Across the 90 minutes, Modric led Milan in several key metrics. Modric attempted 17 passes in the final third and made eight entries into that area. Modric also regained possession seven times. Only Strahinja Pavlovic registered more touches, with 119, and more accurate passes, with 94, compared to Modric’s 110 touches and 93 successful passes.
Class pic.twitter.com/LNmlZY7qngAC Milan (@acmilan) February 13, 2026
Allegri highlighted Modric’s mentality as much as the technical quality on display at Stadio Romeo Anconetani. "Quite aside from his marvellous technique, he really wanted to go and get this victory at the end, Allegri said of Modric, as quoted by Football Italia. We should all learn from his character and incredible humility. We're so happy to have him here, the younger players must make the most of working with him. "
The Milan coach also addressed the problems Pisa posed, especially in transition and on the counter. "It was not easy tonight, because Pisa are an uncomfortable team to play against, Allegri added. They look like theyre sitting back and doing nothing, then can strike on the counter and caught us napping on their goal too. So we take three points, but we really need to improve after this performance. "
Luka Modric AC Milan Serie A title race outlook
Modric, speaking to DAZN after the match, stressed the importance of collecting these points in the title chase. "It was important for us, we couldn't miss the win today, because we knew these points were crucial to stay in the battle for the league, and we did it,Modric told DAZN Italia. We relaxed a bit in the second half and didn't pay enough attention, and that is why they scored. So we pressed, went forward, and scored that goal which is very important for us. We are happy for the win. Every game is really difficult in Serie A, so we have to continue working, getting better, and focus on the next game. "
Milan’s victory brought their tally to 53 points from 24 league fixtures. That return matches their second-best points total in the three-points-for-a-win era, which began in 1994-95. Despite this, Allegri has repeatedly played down Milan’s Scudetto chances, although the Opta supercomputer still gives his team a 12% probability of catching Inter.
This season’s consistency is also reflected in Milan’s away record. Allegri’s side are one of only two clubs in Europe’s top five leagues yet to lose on the road, alongside Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. With the squad blending veterans such as Modric and younger players, Milan remain firmly in the chase for a first Serie A crown since 2021-22.
