Leão's Audacious Lob Rescues Milan in Bizarre Olympic-Delayed San Siro Stalemate
Rafael Leão's stunning 25-yard lob salvaged a 1-1 draw for AC Milan against Cesc Fàbregas' tactical Como in a Serie A clash delayed by the Winter Olympics opening at San Siro. Nico Paz capitalised on a Mike Maignan error for Como's opener, while Fàbregas deployed a False 9 system sans recognised striker. The result keeps Milan in the Scudetto hunt but highlights Como's growing resilience.
Leão's Audacious Lob Rescues Milan in Bizarre Olympic-Delayed San Siro Stalemate
Picture this: San Siro, the cathedral of calcio, locked down not for a derby or a Champions League showdown, but for the flaming torch of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Yeah, you read that right. The AC Milan vs Como clash, originally slated for 8 February 2026, got shuffled by 10 days to 18 February, after wild talks of shipping it to Perth, Australia fell through. Blimey, talk about overkill for a bit of snow and skating.
Fabregas' Sneaky Tactics and Como's Resilience
Cesc Fàbregas, the midfield maestro turned Como gaffer, rolled up to the San Siro with a cheeky plan. Ditching a proper No.9 striker, he opted for a three-at-the-back setup, teasing a 'False 9' role that could fall to Maxence Caqueret, Nico Paz, or Martin Baturina. "It's not just about keeping the ball," he quipped on DAZN Italia, as reported by Susy Campanale at Football Italia. "We need to hurt 'em when the chance comes."
Como weren't exactly firing on all cylinders lately – a gritty 0-0 grind with 10-man Atalanta, then a 2-1 home defeat to Fiorentina. But fresh off knocking Napoli out of the Coppa Italia on pens (semi-final vs Inter next), Fàbregas was buzzing. "If we need motivating for San Siro, we've got issues," he joked. Rotations were key too; this lot aren't built for midweek marathons.
Milan, meanwhile, eyed a Scudetto surge, nipping at leaders Inter's heels. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, fresh off back-to-back goals, sat out with fitness niggles. In stepped Christopher Nkunku, the inconsistent Frenchman, to link with Rafael Leão. Massimiliano Allegri hoped for fireworks, per Sky Sport via CalcioMercato.
Maignan's Blunder and Leão's Moment of Magic
Kick-off at 19:45 GMT (20:45 CET), and Como struck first. In the 32nd minute, Mike Maignan fluffed a clearance straight to Nico Paz, who slotted home for 1-0. Oof, keeper errors – the stuff of nightmares. Milan dominated possession but couldn't crack Como's stubborn backline, echoing their 3-1 win over Fàbregas' side back on 15 January despite Como's ball hogging.
Enter Rafael Leão, the Portuguese wizard who's been patchy but lethal lately – four goal involvements in his last six starts. With 20 minutes left, he latched onto a through ball, eyed the onrushing Jean Butez, and chipped it from 25 yards. What a lob! 1-1 it finished, Milan clawing back but no winner in this rescheduled thriller.
Fàbregas' mobility ploy created chaos, spaces popping up like whack-a-mole. Milan pressed hard, but Como's grit – and that early gift – earned a point. Loftus-Cheek's absence hurt, Nkunku flickered without igniting. As Sam Wilson noted at Football Italia, it's a point gained for Como, dropped for Milan in the title tilt.
This draw keeps the Rossoneri lurking, but Inter fans chuckle. Fàbregas? He's got Como punching above, False 9 or not. Next up, liveblog the fallout – and don't miss Bodo/Glimt vs Inter. Football, eh? Always delivering the drama, even with Olympic detours.