On March 16, 2025, AC Milan faced Como at San Siro, aiming to solidify their place near the top of the Serie A standings. The match unfolded with intensity as Como shocked the Rossoneri with an early lead, yet Milan displayed their trademark resilience, sealing the game with two second-half goals for a 2-1 victory.
Como struck first, with Da Cunha netting the opening goal at the 32nd minute following a brilliant assist from 79th-minute starter Nico Paz, who has been making waves this season as one of the youngest midfielders to concurrently reach five goals and five assists across Europe’s top leagues. The 20-year-old Argentine’s skillful setup allowed Da Cunha to finish powerfully past Milan’s goalkeeper, Maignan, sending Como fans and players alike rejoicing.
But the Rossoneri, determined to claim the day after their recent win against Lecce, quickly refocused. Just after the half-time break, Pulisic made his mark, scoring the equalizer at the 53rd minute. Controlled by Reijnders’ patience and vision, Pulisic expertly managed to find space inside Como's penalty area, and he applied the finish with his left foot effectively, bringing the match level.
Despite the powerful equalizer, the game continued to hold suspense. Fifteen minutes after Pulisic's strike, Reijnders nearly clinched the lead for Milan, shooting just after hitting the crossbar with his attempt. A missed opportunity it seemed, yet fortune favored Milan as Reijnders later redeemed himself with the go-ahead goal at the 75th minute, beautifully assisted by the newly introduced Abraham. This decisive moment marked the second comeback of the match for Milan, revitalizing their hopes of climbing up the Serie A table, which now sees them just three points behind Bologna.
From the outset, Como’s tactical decisions—leveraging their younger player talents—seemed effective. The impressive performance by Paz and the goal from Da Cunha had the fans buzzing at San Siro. Star player Da Cunha's goal early on provided Como with hope, indicating they had the capability to challenge even the biggest teams.
For Milan head coach Conceição, the encounter underlined the pressing need for strategic adjustments, particularly when faced with unexpected circumstances, like Da Cunha's opener. After falling behind, Conceição's substitutions, including bringing on Jimenez and Fofana for early substitutes Hernandez and Musah, were meant to inject fresh energy and tactical prowess.
Yet the star of the match was clearly Pulisic. His equalizer not only leveled the match but shifted momentum sharply back toward Milan. Following the game, observers noted how pivotal Pulisic’s role was as he also assisted Reijnders leading up to Milan’s winning goal—a move which showcased his playmaking capabilities and overall importance to the squad.
With the match minutes rolling down, Como sought desperately to level things once more. Their efforts were hampered by tightening gaps created by Milan’s counterattacking style. The situation became more dire for them as Dele Alli, making his much-anticipated return to the pitch, was sent off with a red card for hitting Loftus-Cheek dangerously. This expulsion limited Como’s ability to mount any serious comeback, concluding their hopes for salvaging points from the match.
After the match, Milan’s confidence surged. Having achieved back-to-back victories, Milan approaches the concluding matches of the season with renewed determination, potentially eyeing European competition places and revitalizing their season goals. The top-listed Serie A standing against Como highlights not only their necessity of cohesion but the emotional strength required to overcome such early game mistakes.
With the final whistle, Como may have left San Siro with their heads held high, showcasing their talents against one of Italy's most storied clubs, but it was the resilience of AC Milan, as they responded well to the challenge and secured their second consecutive win.