Serie A: Milan Edge Cremonese 2-0, Stay 10 Points Off Inter

Pavlovic & Leao strike late to give Milan vital win

AC Milan secure 2-0 win against Cremonese with late goals from Strahinja Pavlovic and Rafael Leao, keeping them second in Serie A.

Leao silenced his critics with a calm finish into an empty net, sealing Milan's win...

AC Milan got a much-needed win against Cremonese, thanks to late goals from Strahinja Pavlovic and Rafael Leao, securing a 2-0 victory. This win keeps Milan in second place, 10 points behind leaders Inter Milan, ahead of next Sunday's derby.

Milan bounced back from a disappointing 1-0 loss to Parma, and despite Cremonese's famous 2-1 win in August, the hosts were desperate for points to avoid relegation. 

 Federico Bonazzoli was a threat again, getting past his marker to hit a first-time shot just wide from Giuseppe Pezzella's cross.

Not long after surviving that scare, the visitors should have taken the lead through star attacker Rafael Leao, who dragged his shot wide when it seemed easier to roll the ball into the corner from a glorious one-on-one opportunity.

Cremonese then had Emil Audero to thank for ensuring the scoreline remained goalless at the break, after the goalkeeper reacted smartly to thwart Christian Pulisic and Fofana on the stroke of half-time.

Milan’s struggles in the final third continued after the restart as Leao, with only the goalkeeper to beat, lifted his close-range effort harmlessly over the bar after teed up by Adrien Rabiot’s squared pass.

Leao’s confidence in front of goal took another hit when he showed great determination to burst through the middle of the Cremonese backline, only to send a tame shot into Audero’s grateful grasp. 

The Rossoneri leave it late to take the three points 👊👏#CremoneseMilan pic.twitter.com/mZNOAfXgko

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 1, 2026

Hopes of a winner appeared to be drifting away as the clock ticked towards the end of regulation time. However, just as Milan looked set to experience a frustrating result, Strahinja Pavlovic found the long-awaited breakthrough in the 90th minute, diverting the ball in after Koni De Winter had flicked on Luka Modric’s inswinging cross from a short corner.

Leao silenced his critics with a calm finish into an empty net, sealing Milan's win. He scored after Christopher Nkunku squared the ball, putting Milan 2-0 up in stoppage time.

Strahinja Pavlović is the Panini Player of the Match for #CremoneseMilan! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Y2dDgqyXjS

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 1, 2026

The win marked Milan's first H2H victory in 30 years, while Cremonese's winless league run extended to 13 matches.