AC Milan and Como played out a 1-1 draw at San Siro on Wednesday night, a result that further dents the fading Scudetto hopes.
In the previous three meetings between the two Lombardy sides, it is Como who had taken the lead. It became four in a row when Nico Paz got the opener, profiting off a slack pass out from Mike Maignan to slot into an empty net.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
Milan got level with a chance out of nowhere, as Ardon Jashari launched a 50-yard ball to Rafael Leao who lobbed the onrushing Butez. Both sides had half-chances to grab all three points, but it remained all square.
The result means that the Rossoneri are now seven points behind their city rivals Inter. With just 13 games to go and 39 points to be won, it feels as though the Scudetto hopes have slipped away, barring a collapse from the city rivals. Rohit Rajeev has the tactical breakdown.
Fascinating set-ups
In what was dubbed a clash of stylistic extremes, the question everyone wanted to know was whether Cesc Fabregas’ aggressive, high-PPDA Como side would finally get the better of Massimiliano Allegri’s compact mid-block and transition-heavy approach.
Allegri made four changes to the starting line-up from the team that beat Pisa on Friday. Koni De Winter returned to the three-man defence in Matteo Gabbia’s place, while Ardon Jashari and Samuele Ricci got the nod in midfield over Youssouf Fofana and the suspended Adrien Rabiot. Rafael Leao replaced Ruben Loftus-Cheek up front, who was a late exclusion.
Rather than doubling down on the 4-2-3-1 system that has brought about a fight for a European spot, Fabregas opted to ditch his usual system and match up Milan’s 3-5-2, at least on paper. He also opted not to start the joint-top scorer Douvikas, with Paz and Baturina leading the line, therefore no recognised striker.
Como retained their usual 3-2 structure when building out from the back as they used the build-up shape to have an advantage in the centre of the field.
With the build-up structure Como were able to have a central overload with close to five players in the central spaces.
Milan’s counter-move
When Milan would lose the ball Jashari and Modric would form a double pivot with Ricci pushing up as a third attackers to match Como’s 3-2 attacking patterns.
Milan pressed high using man-oriented pressing reminiscent of the Pioli days, as they looked to catch Como deep in their own half in a fashion similar to how Saelemaekers pressed and won the ball ultimately ending with Nkunku’s penalty.
Como used wing play, but with Nico Paz playing in the half spaces and Baturina playing as a false 9 they would use third-man movements to make runs behind the defence.
While in build-up Jashari and Modric would sit back and attract the press giving space for De Winter and Tomori to make passes while Pavlovic (until half-time) was given the license to hug the left flank and make runs.
The eight-second rule
Although Como did not play a high line like they did in the reverse fixture, they opted to play a mid-block. Jashari tried to chip balls behind the defence for Leao or Nkunku to receive the ball.
In the second half, Como defended their set piece with a high line, with Butez using his command of his area to come and collect the ball rendering Milan’s set pieces as useless.
One of the rules of pressing is that a team has a window of eight seconds to score after winning the ball. Jashari used this concept perfectly as he launched a vertical chipped pass for Leao to score.
Il pallone che parte dai piedi di Jashari non è una trasmissione comune, non banale, è eseguita alla perfezione per precisione e forza impressa alla sfera, un lancio lungo verticale che cade perfettamente sul punto di corsa di Leao. Questi passaggi sono una caratteristica del… pic.twitter.com/ulY59SvJG1
— _marco94 (@RealMarco94) February 19, 2026
The data
As MarkStatsBot highlights, Milan came out of the game with a lower PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action) than Como, which means that the Rossoneri pressed their opponents more aggressively and more effectively than vice-versa.
With Allegri often criticised as someone who sits back to soak up pressure, and Fabregas’ side known as a pressing machine, it was as if they both tried to adopt each others’ approaches to win and prove a point.
Fabregas’ change from playing a high line to a mid-block was to reduce Milan’s effectiveness in the counter-attack. While the goal did come in an obvious transition, it was a bit of a freak incident and generally speaking the Diavolo did not have anywhere near as many chances to counter.
As MarkStatsBot also highlights, the three most effective players for progressing the ball on the field were De Winter, Modric and Jashari. It affirms two things: Modric and Jashari can co-exist as a duo capable of breaking lines and blocks, while De Winter can be that first pivot in the three-man defence for building out.
A final extra mention for Jashari. The Swiss midfielder had a ridiculous 97% pass completion as well as 3 chances created, 10 passes into final third, 6/6 on long balls, 4 recoveries, 2 tackles and that 1 gorgeous assist.
Given that he was used as a mezzala and not as a regista (where his long-term future may still be), it is the first concrete sign we have seen of a potential midfield evolution that involves the former Club Brugge man as a starter. On Sunday, could we see Jashari-Modric-Rabiot?
Ardon Jashari vs Como
MVP Performance
pic.twitter.com/cyw0KcPdvG— c0mp (@c0mpmilano) February 19, 2026
This midfield combo will be great to watch in the UCL,where most teams tend to attack than sit back.
If they’re fit, sure!
Love what Jash is bringing ito options. He is maturing at the right time…