AC Milan returned to San Siro on February 22, 2026, with the weight of expectation pressing heavily on their shoulders. After a frustrating draw against Como that left them trailing Inter Milan by ten points at the summit of Serie A, the Rossoneri knew that anything less than a win against a resurgent Parma could spell the end of their title ambitions. The stakes were sky-high, and the atmosphere inside the legendary stadium crackled with tension and hope.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri, serving a touchline ban after a heated altercation with Como staff, watched from the stands as his side lined up with several key returns. Christian Pulisic, finally back in the starting eleven after battling bursitis and a string of physical setbacks, was tasked with breaking his nine-game goal drought. Alongside him, Rafael Leao looked to rekindle his attacking partnership with the American, offering Milan fans a glimpse of the offensive firepower that had once electrified their campaign.
"Pulisic has gradually returned to the rotation, playing controlled minutes," noted one report, emphasizing the careful management of the USMNT star's fitness. The decision to start him against Parma was seen as both a calculated risk and a statement of intent. With Adrien Rabiot also returning from suspension to anchor the midfield alongside Luka Modric, Milan's lineup exuded quality and experience. Yet, not all was smooth sailing for the Rossoneri. Strahinja Pavlovic, bruised and only fit for the bench, joined Santiago Gimenez on the absentee list. This forced Allegri into a defensive reshuffle, with Davide Bartesaghi stepping into the back three and Koni De Winter replacing Matteo Gabbia, who pulled out during the warm-up.
The confirmed Milan lineup read: Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Bartesaghi; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Estupinan; Leao, Pulisic. On the opposite side, Parma arrived at San Siro buoyed by back-to-back wins over Bologna and Verona, victories that lifted them clear of the relegation zone and injected newfound confidence into Carlos Cuesta's squad. Despite sitting 13th in the table with ten defeats, the Crociati had momentum on their side and a point to prove.
Parma's lineup, featuring Corvi in goal; Delprato, Troilo, and Valenti in defense; Britschgi, Bernabé, Keita, Ordoñez, and Valeri across midfield; and the attacking duo of Strefezza and Pellegrino, reflected both necessity and opportunity. Alessandro Circati was suspended, Mariano Troilo stepped into the backline, and January signing Gabriel Strefezza earned his first start, supporting center-forward Mateo Pellegrino. "Parma came into the match on a two-game winning streak, with coach Carlos Cuesta relying on Adrián Bernabé, Mateo Pellegrino, and Mandela Keita," confirmed another source, underscoring the visitors' key players.
Pre-match predictions painted a picture of a tight, tactical battle. Milan had scored in all but one of their 25 league games—an impressive tally of 41 goals, ranking them third in Serie A for total goals scored. However, defensive frailties had cost them dearly, with both teams finding the net in six of the Rossoneri's last ten league outings. Parma, meanwhile, had shaken off a dismal January in which they managed just two goals in six matches, now showing a much-improved offensive output. The last six meetings between these sides had all produced goals at both ends, fueling expectations of another lively encounter.
Betting experts tipped Milan for a narrow, low-scoring win, predicting both teams to score and the decisive action to unfold after halftime. "Both teams have scored in six of Milan's last 10 league games, including their two most recent fixtures," noted one analysis, while highlighting Milan's tendency to finish games strongly. Five of their last eight goals had come in the second half, with late strikes from Leao, Fullkrug, and Modric turning the tide in recent fixtures. Parma had shown similar resilience, with three of their last four goals arriving after the break and both recent victories sealed in the dying moments.
The opening exchanges at San Siro were expected to be cagey, with both teams probing cautiously for weaknesses. Milan, notorious for their slow starts, had failed to score in the first half in three of their previous five games, often relying on their individual brilliance to break deadlocks late on. Parma, too, were conservative in the early stages, leading at halftime just three times all season and reaching the interval level in 14 matches. The stage was set for a tactical chess match, with the potential for fireworks in the second period.
With Allegri absent from the touchline, leadership responsibilities fell to his experienced players on the pitch. Modric, orchestrating play from midfield, and Rabiot, eager to make an impact after his suspension, provided the engine room. Saelemaekers and Estupinan offered width and dynamism, while Loftus-Cheek added physicality and late runs into the box. In defense, Maignan's reliability between the sticks was never in doubt, but the reshuffled backline of Tomori, De Winter, and Bartesaghi faced a stern test from Parma's rejuvenated attack.
For Parma, coach Cuesta's faith in his young and hungry squad was evident. Adrian Bernabé, fresh off a goalscoring performance against Verona, was tasked with pulling the strings in midfield, while Mandela Keita's energy and composure were crucial in breaking up Milan's attacks. Upfront, Strefezza's debut start offered a new dimension, with Pellegrino hoping to replicate his recent late-game heroics.
Historical trends favored a competitive contest. Milan's recent home form had been solid, but they were not invincible, as the draw with Como had shown. Parma, for their part, had struggled against top opposition but entered the game with renewed belief and a clear tactical plan. "Carlos Cuesta’s men have rediscovered their goalscoring form, though their two recent wins were achieved by single-goal margins," observed one preview, acknowledging both their progress and limitations.
As the match kicked off, all eyes were on Pulisic and Leao—could they break Milan's attacking malaise and reignite the Scudetto chase? Or would Parma's disciplined approach and recent momentum spring a surprise at San Siro? With the action ongoing and everything to play for, fans on both sides braced themselves for a contest that could define the season's run-in.
With so much at stake and the outcome still undecided, the drama at San Siro continues to captivate Serie A followers. The Rossoneri's title hopes hang in the balance, while Parma's bid to climb the table and defy expectations remains very much alive.