Milan and Como Share Spoils in Tactical Serie A Stalemate
2026-02-18 · Serie A
In the delayed 24th round Serie A clash, Milan and Como played out a 1-1 draw at San Siro. Nico Paz gave Como the lead before Rafael Leao rescued a point for the Rossoneri, maintaining Milan’s strong position near the top of the table while Como closes in on European spots.
The rescheduled Serie A match between AC Milan and Como took place at San Siro on the evening of February 18, 2026, after being postponed due to Olympic commitments at the stadium. Both sides showed solid defensive organization in a first half that lacked clear-cut chances, save for a controversial disallowed goal for Como's Vojvoda due to offside at the 25th minute. However, it was Como who broke the deadlock at 32 minutes through Nico Paz capitalizing on a rare error from Milan’s goalkeeper Maignan.
Tactical Battle at San Siro
Milan lined up in their usual 3-5-2 formation, attempting to control midfield and create chances through wingbacks and creative midfielders. Como mirrored the setup with a 3-5-2 as well, focusing on compact shape and quick transitions. The first half ended with the visitors leading 1-0, a testament to their effective pressing and defensive discipline against the Rossoneri’s high standards.
Second Half Fightback
In the second half, Milan increased their intensity, with coach Massimiliano Allegri making several substitutions to inject fresh energy. Their pressure paid off in the 64th minute when Rafael Leao found the equalizer, displaying his typical pace and composure inside the box. Despite subsequent efforts by both teams, no further goals were scored, sealing a 1-1 draw that sees Milan accumulate 54 points, maintaining pressure on league leaders Inter and edging ahead of Napoli in third place.
Impact on Standings
This result leaves Como in a strong position, level on points with Atalanta in sixth, suggesting their European ambitions are alive going into the crucial run-in of the Serie A season. Meanwhile, Milan continue to hold a firm grip on the chase for the Scudetto, trailing Inter by seven points with matches still to play.
Match Facts and Player Notes
Key players included goalkeeper Maignan for Milan despite his error, and Como’s Nico Paz, whose opportunistic goal proved vital. Both sides saw cautions—Paz, Sergi Roberto, Leao, and Saelemaekers were booked for fouls, while Como’s Butez received a yellow for unsporting behaviour. The game demonstrated solid defenses and tactical caution reflecting the high stakes of this fixture.