Milan's San Siro Shocker: Loftus-Cheek Stretchered Off as Parma Snatch Late Victory
AC Milan suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Parma thanks to a late Mariano Troilo header, as confirmed by VAR. Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek was hospitalized after a shocking head collision with Parma keeper Edoardo Corvi, suffering broken teeth and possible concussion. The loss leaves Milan 10 points behind leaders Inter Milan, who keep winning.
Milan's Miserable Day at the Office
Picture this: a sunny afternoon at the San Siro, AC Milan fans belting out their chants, dreaming of clawing back ground on arch-rivals Inter. Instead, it turned into a proper horror show. A 1-0 loss to mid-table Parma left the Rossoneri licking their wounds, with star midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek carted off on a stretcher after a nasty clash.
The incident happened just 10 minutes in. Loftus-Cheek rose for a cross, only to smash heads with Parma keeper Edoardo Corvi. Blood everywhere, medics scrambling – it was grim viewing. The 30-year-old Englishman, ex-Chelsea man and Three Lions regular, was braced up and stretchered away, later diagnosed with busted teeth and under checks for head knocks, as per Italian press reports.
Loftus-Cheek's Nightmare Collision
Blimey, that collision looked like something out of a WWE ring, not Serie A. Loftus-Cheek's face was a mask of claret, and you could hear the San Siro gasp. Parma's gaffer Carlos Cuesta was class about it post-match: "Our thoughts are with him." Fair play, mate – footy's tough, but that's brutal.
Milan's physios did their bit on the pitch, but no chances taken. He's headed to hospital for scans, and Rossoneri supporters will be crossing fingers it's not long-term. In a season already testing their squad depth, losing a powerhouse like him early doors is a right kick in the teeth – literally.
Parma Pull Off the Heist
With Christian Pulisic back in the XI after a stint on the bench, Milan pushed for a response. The USMNT ace looked sharp, but it was Parma who had the last laugh. Up popped Mariano Troilo in the 80th minute, nodding home a corner. Ref initially chalked it off for a foul, but VAR had a butcher's and flipped the call. Cue pandemonium – and a deserved three points for the visitors.
Parma's now on a hat-trick of wins, sitting comfy in 12th. For Milan? Disaster. They went into this one eyeing a cut into Inter's lead down to seven points. Fat chance. Inter thumped Lecce 2-0 the day before, their seventh straight league victory, stretching the gap to a whopping 10 points.
Add in Wednesday's frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Como, and Milan's form is wobblier than a pint after last orders. Fans trudging out of San Siro must've felt like they'd been mugged – at home, no less.
Title Race Takes a Turn
This result's a proper gut-punch for Milan in the Scudetto scrap. Inter are purring, racking up wins like it's going out of fashion. Parma, under Cuesta, are punching above their weight, showing Serie A has no easy games.
Loftus-Cheek's update will dominate headlines, but tactically, Milan's defence leaked from a set-piece – schoolboy stuff. Pulisic's return offered hope, yet they couldn't convert chances. As reported by ESPN News Services, this was Milan's chance to strike back, and they fluffed it spectacularly.
Next up, Milan need a reaction sharpish, or Inter will be toasting the title in a Bierkeller somewhere. For now, it's commiserations to the lads in red and black – and get well soon, Ruben. Footy's a brutal mistress, but you've got this.