AC Milan edged past Lecce with a hard-fought 1-0 win at San Siro, trimming the gap to Serie A leaders Inter Milan to just three points and stretching their unbeaten run to six matches. In a tense encounter defined by patience, precision, and persistence, Massimiliano Allegri’s side eventually found the breakthrough through substitute Niklas Füllkrug to maintain severe title pressure.
Match Overview
- Result: AC Milan 1-0 Lecce
- Venue: San Siro
- Goal: Füllkrug (Header)
- Run: Milan unbeaten in 6 league matches
- Home Form: 10-game unbeaten streak at San Siro
Milan’s Tactical Plan: Speed vs Structure
From kickoff, Milan’s intent was obvious. Lecce’s high defensive line invited balls in behind, and the Rossoneri kept targeting space with direct vertical passes and wide overloads. However, Lecce’s disciplined offside trap repeatedly caught Rafael Leão, frustrating Milan’s rhythm in the first half.
Despite dominating possession, Milan struggled to carve open Lecce’s compact shape. Alexis Saelemaekers curled narrowly wide early on, while Matteo Gabbia’s aerial presence caused concern from set pieces. Leão also had the ball in the net with a clever chip, but it was correctly ruled out for offside.
Lecce barely threatened, offering only a speculative Štulić flick over the bar.
Second-Half Pressure Mounts
After the break, Milan intensified their attacking tempo. The crosses became sharper, the movement more aggressive, and shots more frequent.
- Gabbia twice headed just over from corners.
- Estupiñán attempted a long-range volley.
- Ricci forced Falcone into a low save.
- Pulisic came closest with a powerful effort, brilliantly parried
Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone was the visitors’ standout performer, keeping Milan at bay for over an hour with multiple key saves.
The Breakthrough: Füllkrug Delivers
With Lecce hanging on, Allegri turned to his bench — and it paid off instantly. Saelemaekers produced a perfect floated delivery into the danger zone, where Niklas Füllkrug rose highest to head home from close range.
A classic poacher’s finish.
A decisive moment.
A goal that could shape the title race.
Game Management and Defensive Control
Once ahead, Milan expertly controlled possession and denied Lecce any momentum. The visitors failed to register meaningful pressure as Milan calmly closed out another crucial home win.
- Clean defensive structure
- Midfield dominance
- Intelligent tempo control
What This Means
For Milan:
- Three points off Inter
- Six unbeaten
- San Siro fortress is intact.
- Scudetto dream alive
For Lecce:
- Still in the relegation zone
- Winless vs Milan since 2006
- Lack of attacking threat remains worrying.
Tanzanian Fan Angle
For Tanzanian Serie A followers, Milan’s grit and tactical discipline show why they remain one of Europe’s most respected giants. With Inter and Milan battling at the top, this title race is heating up — and every point now carries enormous weight.
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Final Verdict
Milan had to work.
They had to wait.
But champions find a way.
Füllkrug’s late header secured a vital win that keeps the Rossoneri firmly in the Scudetto fight, while Lecce’s survival hopes continue to fade.
