Cagliari 0-1 AC Milan: Five things we learned – unreal midfield and efficiency

AC Milan and Massimiliano Allegri started 2026 with a very important win, beating Cagliari by the odd goal away from home, and there were several positive takeaways. 

After the comfortable win against Hellas Verona at the end of 2025, Milan wanted to start 2026 in the same fashion. While the scoreline wasn’t the same, short two goals, the overall outcome was at least replicated: three important points secured.

Rafael Leao was the only goalscorer of the game, opening the scoresheet in the second half, and Cagliari didn’t do enough to threaten the Rossoneri’s goal after that. Below are five things we learned from the game…

1. Clinical once again

We simply have to start with the clinical nature of the win. For the 12th time this season, Milan scored with their first shot on target. Yes, you heard that right, it was the Rossoneri’s first shot on target despite the goal coming in the 50th minute.

This record, i.e. the 12-time bit, is very impressive and certainly proves that the Rossoneri have become a lot more efficient and clinical in the box. On the other hand, it also suggests that Allegri’s men don’t really create that many chances, which is also a problem.

It would certainly be nice to see a few more shots on target, even if they don’t result in goals, just to create some more momentum and worry the opponents. Again, we shouldn’t complain as efficiency was a big problem last season, but the situation can still be improved a little.

2. First half struggles continue

Building on the above, Milan once again put in a very poor first-half performance. Cagliari had several shots just inside the first few minutes, and had the Rossoneri been up against a better team, that could have meant going one goal down.

The important thing was obviously to preserve the 0-0 going into half-time, but again, the Rossoneri need to do a whole lot better to feel comfortable in every game. Especially against the big teams, even if they have actually done better in those affairs.

Seeing as the wins keep on coming, this is more of a luxury problem than anything, but Allegri cannot rely on the half-time talk too much. Better teams will punish them eventually if that remains the case, that much is clear.

3. Bartesaghi looking comfortable

I shouldn’t make this into too big a thing, seeing as Bartesaghi has played at centre-back many times before, but I was very surprised by just how comfortable he looked. You know how some players always look shaky in possession, even if they necessarily aren’t? Well, the youngster is the opposite of that.

With the ball at his feet, he looks incredibly comfortable and never gives the impression of buckling under pressure. Sure, he did lose the ball when he drove forward with it a couple of times yesterday, but in the actual build-up, he was incredibly solid.

Above all, it’s a sign of great confidence and comfort that you can only have if the players around you believe in your abilities. Rafael Leao made it clear afterwards that the left-back is doing fantastically, and stuff like that will definitely boost his confidence.

4. Kings of the midfield

We can talk all day long about Leao’s goal and how well he did well to play despite the injury struggles, but the reason Milan won was the midfield. More specifically, I’m talking about Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot (sorry Youssouf Fofana!).

Modric controlled the tempo of the game (almost) from start to finish, making himself available at every single opportunity, while Rabiot moved across the pitch to confuse the opponents. It’s something we saw on the goal especially, when the Frenchman was out on the right.

Defensively, both put in a very good shift too as we saw Modric make several blocks/interceptions, while Rabiot always tracked back when some of his teammates got a little bit too attacking-minded. In short, they are the kings of the midfield in every sense.

5. Could Füllkrug be of use?

We have to end on the debut of Füllkrug, who came on in the 69th minute to replace Leao. While Milan obviously focused on defending at this stage of the game, you have to give the German credit for helping run down the clock.

He won several duels with the Cagliari defenders and also showed that he isn’t afraid to get stuck in. On top of that, he had some nice combinations with his teammates, including one with Samuele Ricci and Christian Pulisic which nearly resulted in a goal for the American.

All things considered, it was a promising debut for the West Ham loanee, who seemingly will be able to act as a reference point for the attack. This is something Milan have lacked so far this season, and it could be very beneficial for players like Leao and Pulisic.