Rafael Leao’s second-half winner secured a 1-0 victory for AC Milan at Cagliari, maintaining their unbeaten away record and propelling them to the top of the Serie A standings.
Rafael Leao made a triumphant return from injury on Saturday, scoring the decisive goal in AC Milan’s 1-0 victory over Cagliari.
The Portuguese winger broke the deadlock in the 50th minute at the Unipol Domus, firing a deflected strike into the roof of the net after a clever square ball from Adrien Rabiot.
The win temporarily moves the Rossoneri to the top of the Serie A table, pending Inter’s result against Bologna on Sunday.
The match began with Cagliari posing a significant threat through wing-back Marco Palestra, who exploited spaces on the right flank.
Despite early pressure from the hosts, including a Michel Adopo header saved by Mike Maignan, Milan found their rhythm before the break.
Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek proved instrumental in the tactical battle, winning seven duels and providing a physical presence that allowed Milan to withstand Cagliari’s initial energy and eventually control the tempo.
Milan’s defensive solidity in the second half limited Cagliari to just a single shot, securing a record-equaling start to the campaign.
Under Massimiliano Allegri, Milan remains one of only three teams in Europe’s top five leagues—alongside Bayern Munich and Real Betis—to remain undefeated away from home this season.
This marks only the second time in twenty years that the club has avoided defeat in its first eight away matches of a Serie A season.