Rafael Leao marked his return from injury with the winning goal as AC Milan edged past Cagliari 1-0 away to climb to the top of the Serie A table.
Milan struggled for rhythm in a flat first half in Sardinia, with Cagliari wasting several early openings and failing to test the visitors properly before the break.
A late penalty call in Milan’s favour was overturned after an offside review.
The breakthrough came five minutes into the second half when Adrien Rabiot’s low cross found Leao at the far post, and the winger controlled before firing past Elia Caprile for his sixth Serie A goal against Cagliari.
Leao was later withdrawn, making way for debutant Niclas Fullkrug, who almost provided an assist for Christian Pulisic. Caprile also denied Luka Modric with a late free-kick as Milan held on.
The win extends Milan’s unbeaten league run to 16 matches and ends Cagliari’s three-game home streak, increasing pressure on Inter Milan and Napoli ahead of the weekend.
