When Zachary Kofi Athekame, the 20‑year‑old Belgian midfielder, launched a low drive from about ten yards out in the 93rd minute, he turned a looming defeat into a breath‑held draw for AC Milan at San Siro on Friday night.
The drama unfolded at Serie A 2025/2026 Matchday 8Milan, Italy, where the league‑leading Rossoneri, managed by veteran coach Massimiliano Allegri, had to fend off a spirited challenge from newly promoted Pisa Sporting Club. Here’s the thing: the match could have handed Milan a shocking loss, but instead it produced a 2‑2 stalemate that left the title race buzzing.
Context: Milan’s early‑season surge and Pisa’s return
Coming into the game, Milan were perched atop the table with five wins, two draws and a single defeat – 17 points in total – a cushion of two points over Inter, Napoli and Roma, all of whom were still waiting for their weekend fixtures. By contrast, Pisa were fighting a relegation battle that had begun before they even set foot on a Serie A pitch. After a 34‑year exile from the top flight, the club had yet to taste victory this season, sitting on just four points from nine matches. Their recent draws had been a lifeline, but the San Siro visit was a chance to finally notch a win.
Fans in the stands knew the stakes. For Milan, a win would have solidified a three‑point lead and possibly stretched their unbeaten run to eight games – a feat not achieved since early 2024. For Pisa, a win would have been their first Serie A triumph since 1991, a milestone that would have instantly lifted them out of the bottom‑three.
Match timeline: goals, drama, and the injury‑time equaliser
The opening act came early. Rafael Alexandre da Silva Leão pounced in the 7th minute, slotting a neat finish after a clever cut‑back from the right flank. The goal marked his second straight home league appearance with a strike – a personal best since May 2024.
Midway through the first half, Pisa responded. Colombian veteran Juan Guillermo Cuadrado Bello won a soft penalty at the 60th minute and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way, making it 1‑1.
As the clock ticked past the 80th, the visitors grew confident. In the 86th minute, Congolese forward M'Bala Henri Nzola collected a lofted ball, rounded Mike Maignan and slipped the ball under his body for a cheeky 2‑1 lead.
But wait – the story wasn’t over. A corner in the 92nd minute found its way to Athekame on the edge of the box. He glanced a low, dipping shot that cut through a cluster of bodies and whipped into the near post. The ball hit the net with just seconds left on the clock, forcing a collective gasp from the home crowd.
That goal wasn’t just a point; it made Athekame the youngest foreign player to score for Milan in Serie A since Chaka Traorè’s record‑setting strike in January 2024.
Reactions from the dugout and the locker room
Allegri, ever the tactician, praised his side’s resilience. “We started well, lost a bit of focus, but the team showed great togetherness,” he said in the post‑match interview. The coach also hinted that Athekame’s impact could be a turning point for the younger cohort of the squad.
On the Pisa bench, head coach Francesco Pambianchi lamented the missed opportunity. “We were so close to that historic win. A few minutes earlier and the narrative would have been completely different,” he admitted.
In the locker room, Milan’s veterans – especially Luka Modric and Samuele Ricci – highlighted the need to tighten up defensively. “We can’t afford to give teams 20 chances,” Ricci noted, referencing the 20 shots Milan faced.
What the draw means for the title race and relegation battle
The single point keeps Milan on 17, still leading but now with a smaller margin. Inter, Napoli and Roma each sit on 15 points, meaning the next round will be a make‑or‑break weekend for the chasing pack.
For Pisa, the draw nudged them up to four points, just one ahead of Fiorentina and Genoa. The club’s morale boost from holding a powerhouse to a draw could be the catalyst they need to chase that elusive first win.
- AC Milan: 17 points, +2 goal difference
- Inter Milan: 15 points, +1 goal difference
- Pisa Sporting Club: 4 points, 1‑0‑8 record
- Youngest foreign scorer: Zachary Athekame (20 years, 315 days)
- Milestone: Milan’s 3,100th Serie A appearance
Looking ahead: upcoming fixtures and Athekame’s rising profile
Next week, Milan travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta BC at the Gewiss Stadium. Allegri hinted at a possible tactical shift, aiming to tighten the backline that gifted Pisa 20 attempts.
Athekame, meanwhile, is expected to get more minutes. The Belgian’s confidence surged, and pundits are already comparing his composure to that of former Milan prodigy Giuseppe Acquistapace, who burst onto the scene at a similar age.
For the fans, the match was a reminder that Serie A still delivers cliff‑hanger drama – a league where a single strike in the dying seconds can rewrite the storylines of both title contenders and underdogs.
Key Facts
- Goal scorer: Zachary Kofi Athekame (93') – injury‑time equaliser
- Opening goal: Rafael Leão (7')
- Penalty: Juan Cuadrado (60')
- Lead goal: M'Bala Nzola (86')
- Venue: San Siro, Milan
- Date: 24 October 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Athekame’s goal affect Milan’s title chances?
The equaliser keeps Milan on 17 points, still top but now only two points clear of Inter, Napoli and Roma. A win in the next round could widen the gap, while a slip‑up might see the chase pack overtake them.
What does the draw mean for Pisa’s fight against relegation?
Pisa move to four points, pulling ahead of Fiorentina and Genoa by a single point. The point preserved their morale and keeps them within touching distance of safety, but they still need a win to climb out of the bottom three.
Who were the key players for Milan besides Athekame?
Rafael Leão opened the scoring, while veteran goalkeeper Mike Maignan made several crucial saves. Midfield anchor Samuele Ricci provided the assist for Leão’s goal, and Luka Modric helped steady the team after falling behind.
When is Milan’s next match and who are they facing?
Milan travel to Bergamo on 28 October 2025 to play Atalanta BC at the Gewiss Stadium. It will be a crucial test of their defensive adjustments after the Pisa draw.
How historic is the 3,100th Serie A appearance for Milan?
Milan become the fourth Italian club – after Inter, Roma and Juventus – to reach 3,100 top‑flight matches. The milestone underscores the club’s longevity and adds a symbolic layer to the night’s drama.