CAGLIARI starting XI (4-2-3-1): Sherri, Zappa, Palomino (subbed for Wieteska), Luperto, Augello, Makoumbou (subbed for Marin), Deiola, Zortea (subbed for Lapadula), Viola (subbed for Gaetano), Luvumbo, Piccoli (subbed for Pavoletti)
Bench: Ciocci, Scuffet, Azzi, Obert, Felici, Jankto, Prati, Mutandwa
Goals: Zortea 2’, Zappa 53’ 89’
AC MILAN starting XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan, Emerson Royal (subbed for Tomori), Thiaw, Pavlovic, Hernandez, Fofana, Reijnders, Chukwueze (subbed for Loftus-Cheek), Pulisic (subbed for Musah), Leao (subbed for Okafor), Camarda (subbed for Abraham)
Bench: Sportiello, Torriani, Calabria, Terracciano
Goals: Leao 15’ 40’, Abraham 69’
Still, Milan struggled at relegation-threatened Cagliari just four days after a win at Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The pre-game attention was on 16-year-old Francesco Camarda getting the nod at striker following an injury to Alvaro Morata, but it was Leao who made the biggest impact.
Nadir Zortea put Cagliari ahead in the second minute before Leao struck back with a brace before halftime.
First, Leao scored with a lob following an excellent setup from Tijjani Reijnders. Then the Portugal winger took a through ball from Youssouf Fofana and dribbled around the goalkeeper for his second.
Gabriele Zappa equalised for Cagliari shortly after the break and Milan went ahead again with a goal from Tammy Abraham, who had just come on for Camarda.
On a play that began with Leao inside Milan’s half, Abraham redirected in a rebound following a shot from Christian Pulisic.
Zappa then completed a brace, too, with a spectacular volley.
Milan remain seventh.
AAP
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