ALLEGRI: NO COINCIDENCE — MILAN MUST LEARN TO READ THE GAME
Milan's title hopes stumble as Pisa fights back for a 2-2 draw. Read Allegri's full analysis on the defensive lapses and missed chances that cost his team two crucial points at the San Siro.
Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Pisa SC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 24, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
According to AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri, his team lost two crucial points because of mistakes made at both ends of the pitch.
Rafael Leao's goal in the first few minutes allowed Milan to guarantee itself the top slot for the weekend when they played the Serie A team in last place.
But things were about to take a turn for the worse as Pisa shocked the San Siro crowd by winning 2-1 in the second half thanks to goals from M'Bala Nzola and Juan Cuadrado.
Zachary Athekame's first goal for the Rossoneri was memorable; he equalised the score at 2-2 in added time with a shot off the post from 25 yards out, but that was the score that would stay that way.
Allegri's response
After the final whistle at San Siro, Allegri talked to Sky about his thoughts on what will still be considered a two-point loss despite the late goal. His remarks were reported by MilanNews.
During the match, you appeared content. What analysis do you have?
"We are pleased with the final draw. We need to take stock of our missteps from tonight and improve on the things that did not go as planned.
"Although we should have been ahead 2-0, we were too deep because there were too many holes in the middle of the pitch, and the two strikers were distant from the midfielders. We got stretched and did not stick together after the 1-0.
"There are two things that need to be improved in the last five minutes: Pavlovic had to chase Nzola, so you can not lose your mind when having two chances to win the game."
Is Milan's poor performance against clubs that play a low block a coincidence?
Development and comprehension of the game's events are more important than chance. We had to be faster and more concentrated once we were ahead.
Does Pisa deserve praise, or is that just an attitude issue?
Pisa played a clever game, taking advantage of our flaws. We were unable to run that far while they had the ball. We may have been more concentrated in certain circumstances in the box, but with the 1-0 advantage, it was time to double our lead. We must continue to work on this and get better.
What aspects of this team appeal to you the most?
We had shortcomings tonight because, after taking a 1-0 lead, we had to coolly realise that we could score 2-0 without giving up anything. In open play, Ricci delayed the pass in one of our situations, and there were a few more.
We cannot risk losing the game by pushing forward in the last five minutes. Although today's point is disheartening, it will ultimately be essential to achieving our seasonal goal.
Gabbia and Moreo scuffled over Pisa's second goal.
"No, not at all. Whether or not there was a foul, it was a long ball that took us by surprise. We did not lose, which is good, but it will also help us get better.
GUARDIOLA TIPS HAT TO DYCHE: ‘HE’S AMONG THE VERY BEST’
Pep Guardiola hails new Forest boss Sean Dyche as "the best" at set-pieces, noting the trend isn't new. He also revealed that Man City has struggled with dead-ball situations this season compared to rivals like Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola shaking hands with Sean Dyche - COURTESY/PHOTO
According to Pep Guardiola, Nottingham Forest has one of the best representatives of the new fascination in football at their disposal.
Although Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, and their ability to score goals from set pieces are admired by the football community, Guardiola has reminded everyone that the idea is not particularly new.
As demonstrated during his tenure as Burnley's manager from 2012 to 2012, he did, in fact, hail incoming Forest manager Sean Dyche as "one of the greatest."
The 54-year-old guided the Clarets into the Premier League and kept them there for six seasons before exiting Turf Moor.
Forest, who have only won one league game so far and are now in third place, can now access that knowledge.
Man City boss Guardiola said, “It’s true that people utilise every throw-in like a corner and put 10 players there in the box.
"Every move (Michael) Kayode made in the box caused us to suffer when we played at Brentford or watched Brentford play Liverpool in our hotel. Additionally, Kayode was the match's man.
“Today, set pieces are a menace. I recall being in Burnley a long time ago with Sean Dyche. Burnley posed a serious threat in the second and long balls.
"Dyche is by far the finest at these kinds of things. He has already done it; therefore, it is not fresh.
Or Sam Allardyce. Or I recall Stoke City when I was not here. Do you recall the throws made by Stoke City?
Maybe Stoke was the anomaly back then, but more and more teams are doing that now.
"I recall that Arsene Wenger mentioned playing at Stoke City while I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but these days it happens frequently.
It may have happened (only) at Burnley or not at all when I got there, but it is a fact now. You must also pay attention. I still want to play, though.
This season, Arsenal has already scored nine league goals from set pieces, five from open play, and two from penalties.
With eight (plus eight from open play and one penalty), Chelsea is not far behind.
On the other end of the scale, though, are Forest and Man City. While City has scored 12 goals from open play, three more on the counterattack, and two own goals, they have yet to score from a set piece. The Reds have scored two of their five goals from restarts.
"Every manager does what they think," Guardiola stated. I am not ignorant of the fact that I want to score from corners and free kicks. I desire it. However, I dedicate my time to what we need to do to improve our play, attack, and generate opportunities. to score goals.
I pay attention, of course, but I am aware that I am not the manager to try to; I have done that my entire career. When things became rough at Burnley, I recall that we gave up maybe one corner, if any, as the second balls were under our control. That is the most effective method of defending these games.
However, you need to be strong in many areas for that, and we are working on it. I will keep working mostly on our game till the very end. And occasionally, as necessary, adjust.
At Brentford, we performed quite well. James, the French set-piece coach, did a fantastic job of enticing our guys into defending these kinds of acts. The same was true at Arsenal: it was amazing. We did not control the game against Arsenal; therefore, we gave up a lot of corners.
NAPOLI TAKE THREE-POINT LEAD AFTER CLOSE WIN AGAINST LECCE
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's header secured a 1-0 win for Napoli over Lecce, moving them top of Serie A. The victory was sealed after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a Francesco Camarda penalty.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa celebrates scoring - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa scored another goal to give Napoli a narrow victory over Lecce, although Vanja Milinkovic-Savic also saved a penalty kick from Francesco Camarda.
The thrilling 3-1 victory against Inter put the Partenopei back atop the league, but it came at a price: Kevin De Bruyne will miss several months of action due to a significant thigh strain. Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani returned to the bench, but Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret, and Romelu Lukaku remained on the treatment table. Leonardo Spinazzola and Scott McTominay were rested, and the 4-3-3 formation was reinstated. Following the 3-2 loss to Udinese, Lecce was without Gaby Jean, Filip Marchwinski, Matias Perez, and Riccardo Sottil.
Billy Gilmour's attempt was deflected wide as Napoli wore their special edition Halloween uniform, but Lorenzo Lucca unintentionally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.
On the Matias Olivera pull-back, Politano turned over from six yards out, while Medon Berisha also threatened by drilling wide from the area's edge.
Olivera had been put clear by a clever Gilmour first-touch lay-off, but Wladimiro Falcone made a fantastic stop with his legs at the near post.
On the cusp of halftime, Francesco Camarda's chest and half-volley was inches wide, yet it would not have been considered handball.
Moments after the restart, Noa Lang added to the growing list of Napoli players out after hobbling off with a hit to the thigh just above the left knee.
Lucca sprinted onto a long ball that Falcone hurried out to nod clear, and Politano's follow-up was charged down with the goalie off his line, creating a double chance to open the score.
After a VAR review, the Lecce penalty was given because Kialonda Gaspar's header on a corner seemed to hit Juan Jesus' hand, which bent back on impact. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has saved five of the past nine Serie A penalties faced, demonstrated his expertise by parrying the spot-kick when Camarda stepped up.
Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola reinforcing the team off the bench for the final half-hour.
It paid off, as a free kick from David Neres was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards out, giving Napoli the lead.
Nikola Stulic was too slow to capitalise on a Danilo Veiga pull-back, Elmas shot wide, and Hojlund missed the Neres assist in stoppages.