Serie A 2025-26: Leao goal gives Milan top spot after win at Cagliari

AC Milan climbed to the top of the Serie A table with a 1-0 win against Cagliari on Friday, as Rafael Leao’s second-half goal earned the visitor all three points despite a far from impressive performance.

Milan, who extended their unbeaten run in Serie A to 16 games, are on 38 points, two ahead of Inter Milan, who host Bologna on Sunday, while Cagliari remain 14th in the standings with 18 points.

Cagliari played with great confidence in the first half and took the game to Milan, but the only real chance was a glancing header from Michel Adopo, which was comfortably saved by Mike Maignan.

Milan, meanwhile, struggled to threaten, relying on counter-attacks and failing to provide quality service to their frontmen, with manager Massimiliano Allegri cutting off a frustrated figure on the touchline.

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The visitor came on the attack after the break, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek heading over before Leao put Milan ahead five minutes after the break.

Adrien Rabiot played a low pass across the penalty area and Leao had space and time to control the ball before drilling his shot into the roof of the net. The goal took the wind out of Cagliari’s sails and it never looked like he would salvage a draw.

Allegri, whose first managerial role in Serie A was with Cagliari, handed Niclas Fullkrug his Milan debut from the bench on the day the German striker’s signing from West Ham ⁠United was made official.

Published on January 3, 2026