Serie A: Modric wins the match as AC Milan closes in on Inter with a 2-1 win over Pisa

AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric turned back the years to score an 85th-minute winner for a 2-1 victory at bottom side Pisa as the visiting side closed the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan at the Arena Garibaldi on Friday.

Second-placed Milan have 53 points from 24 games, five behind Inter, who host fourth-placed Juventus on Saturday iusj2.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was also on target for Milan, who lost Adrien Rabiot to a late red card for a second bookable offence, as hard work was required for victory after Felipe Loyola’s first goal for Pisa had set up the second-half equalizer.

Niclas Fullkrug missed a penalty for the visiting side in what looked like it would be a frustrating evening, before 40-year-old Modric got the winner five minutes from time.

Milan broke the deadlock after 39 minutes with its first effort on target. ​Zachary Athekame’s excellent cross from the right was sent headfirst into the net by Loftus-Cheek.

A penalty was awarded when Loyola Strahinja brought down Pavlovic in the penalty area, but Fullkrug put his penalty wide.

Pisa were level after 71 minutes and it was the man who gave away the penalty who scored. The ball broke kindly in the penalty area to Loyola and he took a touch before firing low into the back of the net from 12 yards, his first goal for the club.

But when he needed it most, Croatian Modric provided the tonic for Milan when he burst into the penalty area, grabbed a loose ball and poked it into the back of the net from close range.

The loss leaves Pisa on 15 points from 25 matches, six points clear of the safety zone after one win so far in the campaign.

Published on February 14, 2026