PISA, Italy (AP) – Luka Modric scored a late winning goal for AC Milan to beat Pisa 2-1 on Friday, closing the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan to five points.
Inter will play fourth place Juventus on Saturday.
Milan have drawn three of their last six games, including games against struggling Fiorentina and Genoa, and worked hard against a club second from bottom who have only won one league game all season.
Just before half-time, Ruben Loftus-Cheek stood free and headed in a cross from the right to score the first goal, but Niklas Furkrug missed the penalty and Milan, who had started late, took the lead.
But Pisa threatened to derail the visitors’ title hopes when Felipe Loyola equalized with 20 minutes remaining.
Former Tottenham and Real Madrid midfielder Modric came to Milan’s rescue six minutes into the game, breaking into the box and scoring the winning goal.
There was still time before Milan’s Adrien Rabiot was sent off, but there was no more time for a shot at goal and Massimiliano Allegri’s side celebrated three important points.
Pisa are tied with Verona on points. Fiorentina were three points ahead of both teams, with Lecce a further three points ahead.
The Milan teams will face each other in a city derby at San Siro on March 8th.
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