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CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan is challenged by Matteo Bianchetti of US Cremonese during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Milan star Rafael Leao says that he and his teammates recorded a massively important victory away against Cremonese in Serie A on Sunday afternoon, and has given a brief preview ahead of the Derby della Madonnina against rivals Inter next weekend: ‘Win or die’.
Leao and Strahinja Pavlovic struck at the very end of the game at the Stadio Giovanni Zini on Sunday afternoon: The first goal coming in the 90th minute and the second in the fourth minute of injury time.
You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Leao looks ahead to Milan vs. Inter: ‘The Derby is always a personal thing’
Leao is now up to 10 goals across all competitions in 2025-26. His goal against Cremonese was his ninth in Serie A, which makes him Milan’s leading goalscorer in the league, overtaking Christian Pulisic on eight.
Speaking during his post-match interview, Leao insisted that he is less focused on individual goals and more concerned with his side’s qualification for the Champions League.
“We have our primary goal, which is to return to the Champions League. We’re having a great season and this was a very important match,” Leao said after full-time.
Up next on the schedule for the Rossoneri is the Derby della Madonnina against runaway league leaders, Inter, whom Milan beat during the reverse fixture earlier this season.
“We have to finish well and it will be another big game against Inter, not just decisive in terms of points, because the derby is always a personal thing,” said Leao.
“We have great respect for Inter because they are a great team, but we will play well and try to get a result.
“The derby is a great game to play, you can feel it even outside of Milan. Everyone wants to play in these sorts of matches, to win or die.”
ByPeter Young
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
