Lecce return to San Siro, this time to take on another Serie A title challengers in AC Milan, with Massimiliano Allegri setting his sights on a club record.
AC Milan were ruthless in front of goal despite a tame display against Lombardy rivals Como in midweek, and their next assignment comes against US Lecce at home this weekend. The Rossoneri once again played catch-up following the opener from the hosts, as Cesc Fabregas’s side threatened to close the gap to just three points.
However, a ruthless counter-attack that Christopher Nkunku finished off, as well as an Adrien Rabiot brace, proved enough to collect three points. Following that result, Milan have collected 13 points from losing position, the highest in the league. While their display and performance against Como did not radiate dominance or inspiration, Massimiliano Allegri will be happy to see his team get the job done.
That win was valuable given title rivals Inter Milan had secured a victory over Lecce, and with the Rossoneri winning, the gap remained at three points heading into the weekend. For Allegri, there is a club record to match or break, as Milan have not lost a Serie A game since the opening day of the season, and their current run matches the one set in 2024. So, Allegri has set his sights on Fabio Capello’s 23-game run in the 1992/93 campaign.
Eusebio Di Francesco has another big test on his hands as he takes his Lecce side back to San Siro following their midweek clash with Inter Milan. The Serie A strugglers held firm until the 77th minute, before conceding, as Inter Milan’s Francesco Pio Esposito grabbed the winner.
Lecce sit precariously above the relegation zone, with three points separating them from 18th-placed Fiorentina. The problem for teams like Lecce and Cagliari is the quality on board at Fiorentina, as they have every chance to bounce back, and their recent form suggests they will beat the relegation trap.
That leaves those teams, particularly Lecce, to ensure there is a healthy buffer between them and Fiorentina moving forward. There’s a big chance they could enter the relegation zone this weekend should they lose to AC Milan. So, Di Francesco’s men need to bring ruthlessness in front of goal, as they are the worst team in the league when it comes to scoring goals.
Team News & Tactics
AC Milan
Massimiliano Allegri does not have too many fitness issues to contend with at the moment, with Santiago Gimenez certainly out with an ankle injury. As it is, the Mexican forward is deemed out of the manager’s plans, although one player who has made a big mark could also miss out.
Christopher Nkunku, who has had five goal involvements in his last four games, could miss out with a muscle problem, although Allegri will have plenty of options and combinations to choose from. The most likely front two pairing could be Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic in the clash with Lecce.
There are concerns over Strahinja Pavlovic after the defender received nine stitches following a head collision. It remains to be seen whether he is fit to feature, or else Koni De Winter is likely to deputise against Lecce. Luka Modric continues to be a key part of Allegri’s system, and he will start in his midfield role, with Adrien Rabiot and Ruben Loftus-Cheek on either side in the middle of the park.
Alexis Saelemaekers and Davide Bartesaghi will continue in their roles as wing-backs. While De Winter is likely to deputise for Pavlovic in the back three, Fikayo Tomori and Matteo Gabbia will complete the defensive setup.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Leao
Lecce
Eusebio Di Francesco, too, does not have a long injury list to contend with, although he will be without his key defenders, Danilo Veiga and Kialonda Gaspar, with the duo suspended.
However, Lassana Coulibaly will be assessed following his foray at the AFCON with Mali, while the Lecce boss could have Lameck Banda and midfield man Ylber Ramadani back in contention after the duo served a one-game suspension.
AC Milan loanee Francesco Camarda will miss the reunion with his parent club due to a shoulder problem. He will have the company of Medon Berisha, Hamza Rafia, and Balthazar Pierret in the treatment room, while Tete Morente has returned to action after featuring on Wednesday.
Di Francesco will rely on his 4-3-3 shape to get something from this clash, although his great hope is to have his forward line firing on all cylinders. That task will be on Banda, Nikola Stulic, and Santiago Pierotti at San Siro.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Falcone; Kouassi, Gabriel, Siebert, Gallo; Kaba, Ramadani, Maleh; Pierotti, Stulic, Banda
Key Stats
- AC Milan have scored at least two goals in their last 14 home matches against Lecce in all competitions.
- AC Milan have won 12 of their last 13 home matches against Lecce in all competitions.
- AC Milan are undefeated in their last 19 matches in Serie A.
- Lecce have won just one of their last 28 meetings with AC Milan.
Player to Watch
Christian Pulisic
Despite missing a period of the season with a hamstring problem, Pulisic remains Milan’s top scorer, but Massimiliano Allegri would want to see him hit top form in the weeks ahead to give the team their best chance to challenge for the title.
The USMNT star has fired blanks in his last three outings, and with Christopher Nkunku out with a muscle problem, Pulisic must take more responsibilities ahead. The game against Lecce could be a good outing for the American to improve and increase his tally for the Rossoneri, especially after he was completely rested for the midweek game against Como.
Prediction
AC Milan 2-0 Lecce
Lecce are in a tricky position in the league, and they would need some big results to ease the pressure of relegation that looms large at the moment. They only recently showed some defensive defiance against Inter Milan at San Siro, and with the team visiting the venue again in a span of a few days, the task against Milan is a bit trickier.
The hosts are in a solid run of form, and Massimiliano Allegri will be eyeing a club record of unbeaten games in the league, as he would want a big win on board against Lecce. The Rossoneri are well placed to collect three points against a team near the relegation zone, as they are likely to keep pace with leaders Inter Milan.
