AC Milan trimmed the gap to Serie A leaders and arch-rivals Inter Milan to five points after edging Pisa S.C. 2-1 at the Arena Garibaldi, extending their unbeaten league run to 23 matches (W15, D8).

The contest began at a sluggish tempo, with both sides struggling to carve out openings and managing just one attempt on goal inside the opening half-hour. Surprisingly, it was the relegation-threatened hosts who came closest to breaking the deadlock. A crucial intervention from Mike Maignan denied Filip Stojilkovic from close range, preserving parity.

That scare appeared to jolt the Rossoneri into life. In the 39th minute, Ruben Loftus-Cheek rose unmarked to head home a pinpoint cross from Zachary Athekame, giving Milan a deserved lead heading into the break.

The visitors thought they had doubled their advantage shortly after the restart when Adrien Rabiot found the net, but the effort was ruled out for a handball by Niclas Füllkrug in the build-up. Milan continued to push forward and were handed a golden opportunity when Felipe Loyola brought down Strahinja Pavlović inside the area. However, Füllkrug’s penalty struck the post, allowing Pisa to breathe again.

Despite their limited attacking threat this season, the hosts stunned Milan in the 71st minute. Loyola made amends for conceding the penalty, curling a superb 15-yard effort into the bottom corner to level the score and set up a tense finale.

Milan responded with urgency. Füllkrug spurned a prime chance from close range after being teed up by Samuele Ricci, dragging his effort narrowly wide. Just as frustration threatened to take hold, Luka Modrić delivered a moment of class, guiding a clever late finish beyond Nícolas Andrade to restore the visitors’ lead.

Rabiot’s late dismissal for two quick-fire yellow cards set up a nervy conclusion, but Milan held firm to secure all three points.

The result keeps Milan second in Serie A, four points clear of third-placed SSC Napoli. Pisa, meanwhile, remain mired in a 14-match winless run and sit six points adrift of safety.