Milan's Nightmare at San Siro: Loftus-Cheek Stretchered Off in Heart-Stopping Parma Loss
AC Milan fell 1-0 to Parma at San Siro, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek hospitalized after a nasty head collision early on. Mariano Troilo's late header, confirmed by VAR, sealed the win for the visitors, widening Inter Milan's lead to 10 points. Milan's woes deepen after a midweek draw with Como.
Milan's Day Turns Sour Early
San Siro was meant to be AC Milan's playground on Sunday, but it turned into a proper horror show. Just 10 minutes in, midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek clashed heads with Parma keeper Edoardo Corvi while chasing a cross. The 30-year-old Englishman, with blood streaming down his face, needed on-pitch treatment before being carted off in a neck brace. Italian rags are buzzing that he's got busted teeth and they're checking for head knocks – proper nasty stuff.
As reported by ESPN News Services, Loftus-Cheek, the ex-Chelsea lad who's been a rock for Milan, was rushed to hospital. Parma boss Carlos Cuesta was class about it, sending thoughts his way. Fingers crossed it's not as bad as it looked, mate – we hate seeing players go down like that.
Pulisic Back, But Parma Steal the Show
Christian Pulisic, the USMNT star, made a welcome return to the Milan starting XI after a knock. You could've forgiven the Rossoneri for thinking things might turn around. But nah, it was Parma who had the last laugh.
With 80 minutes on the clock, Mariano Troilo rose highest from a corner to nod home what looked like a dodgy goal. Ref waved it away for a foul, but VAR had other ideas – goal given, 1-0 Parma. Milan pushed, but couldn't find an equaliser. Talk about a dagger to the heart.
Parma, sitting comfy in 12th, notched their third win on the trot. Solid shift from the Ducali, proving they're no pushovers away at the San Siro.
Title Race Slips Further Away
This defeat piles more misery on Milan, who went into the game desperate to halve the gap to cross-town rivals Inter Milan down to seven points. Fat chance now – Inter smashed Lecce 2-0 on Saturday, their seventh straight Serie A win, stretching the lead to a whopping 10 points.
Milan's week? A 1-1 draw at home to Como midweek, now this. Home form's gone flatter than a warm pint. Inter must be chuckling into their aperitivos, watching the Nerazzurri pull away in the Serie A title race.
Loftus-Cheek's absence could sting long-term too. He's been box-to-box dynamite this season. Without him, Milan's midfield looks a bit lightweight – and with Inter firing on all cylinders, the Scudetto dream feels like it's fading faster than the summer sun.
Parma's graft paid off, though. Troilo's nut-meg, Cuesta's gaffer nous – they're punching above their weight. Milan fans trudging out of San Siro? Probably muttering about curses and VAR conspiracies over a post-match birra.
We'll keep you posted on Loftus-Cheek's scan results. Get well soon, Ruben – Milan's got a mountain to climb now.