AC Milan will aim to quickly put their opening-day setback behind them when they travel south to face Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare on Friday evening. The Rossoneri endured a frustrating start to the Serie A campaign, while their hosts managed to hold firm for a point in their opening fixture.
Milan’s season began in bitterly disappointing fashion, as they suffered a shock home defeat to newly promoted Cremonese. Despite registering 24 attempts, the second-highest tally of the opening weekend behind only Juventus, they found themselves stunned at San Siro. A powerful header from Strahinja Pavlovic was all they could muster in reply, as Federico Bonazzoli’s strike sealed the visitors’ win and exposed Milan’s wastefulness in front of goal.
It is a familiar worry for the Rossoneri, who also failed to win either of their first two Serie A games last season. Back in charge after a chaotic year that saw Milan finish eighth, Massimiliano Allegri has been tasked with restoring stability and competitiveness. While they did ease past Bari in the Coppa Italia earlier this month, Allegri’s side know that only consistent results in the league will satisfy expectations of a top-four finish.
AC Milan will take confidence from their recent record against Lecce. They have won their last three meetings and are unbeaten in the past 14 encounters. The most recent clash in March saw Christian Pulisic strike twice late on to complete a 3-2 comeback win, underlining both Milan’s resilience and Lecce’s vulnerabilities.
For Lecce, the opening weekend offered mixed emotions. They ground out a goalless draw away to Genoa, showing defensive discipline, but it was clear they lacked a cutting edge in attack. The reason is simple: star striker Nikola Krstovic, whose goals were vital in preserving Lecce’s Serie A status last season, has departed for Atalanta. Without him, goals could be a serious concern.
In his absence, 17-year-old AC Milan loanee Francesco Camarda was handed the responsibility of leading the line for Lecce against Genoa. Though talented, the teenager represents a gamble for a club battling to avoid another relegation fight. Head coach Eusebio Di Francesco, returning for a second stint in charge, has otherwise enjoyed a steady start. After overseeing a 2-1 Coppa Italia victory over Juve Stabia, he has brought renewed energy to the side, but the challenge ahead is daunting.
History offers little encouragement for the Salentini. Lecce have beaten AC Milan just once at home in Serie A, back in 2006, and have lost eight of their 19 home meetings with the Rossoneri. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Lecce will be boosted by the return of Santiago Pierotti, who is available again after serving a suspension on the opening day. That will give head coach Eusebio Di Francesco an important attacking option to complement his young frontline. Up front, all eyes will be on 17-year-old Francesco Camarda, on loan from AC Milan, who is set to start once more in the absence of a proven centre-forward following Nikola Krstovic’s departure.
The Salentini are otherwise close to full strength. Long-term absentees Gaby Jean and Filip Marchwinski remain sidelined, but Di Francesco has no fresh injuries or suspensions to worry about ahead of Friday’s encounter. A potential move for Charleroi striker Nikola Stulic has come too late to affect this match, leaving Camarda to shoulder the responsibility of leading the line.
Lecce are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Wladimiro Falcone will start in goal, with Danilo Veiga operating at right-back, Tiago Gabriel and Esmevanio Kialonda Gaspar forming the central defensive pairing, and Antonino Gallo taking his place at left-back.
In midfield, Lassana Coulibaly should sit in a deeper role, supported by Balthazar Pierret and Medon Berisha, who will look to provide both energy and creativity. The returning Santiago Pierotti is expected to feature on the right wing, with Tete Morente on the left, while Francesco Camarda will spearhead the attack as the central striker.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Falcone; Veiga, Gabriel, Gaspar, Gallo; Coulibaly, Pierret, Berisha; Pierotti, Camarda, Morente
AC Milan will be without one of their key men on Friday, as Rafael Leao is unlikely to feature after suffering a calf injury shortly after scoring in the Coppa Italia victory over Bari. His absence is a significant blow to Massimiliano Allegri’s attacking options, with the Rossoneri already short of proven forwards following a busy summer of departures.
Alvaro Morata, Luka Jovic, Noah Okafor, and loanee Tammy Abraham have all moved on, while Samuel Chukwueze could also depart before the close of the transfer window amid his links with Fulham. AC Milan were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Victor Boniface and have yet to finalise a deal for Conrad Harder, leaving them light in the final third.
As a result, Allegri may pair Christian Pulisic with Santiago Gimenez in a front two. Pulisic has an excellent track record against Lecce, scoring four league goals against them, including a brace on his last visit to Stadio Via del Mare. His influence could prove crucial again, especially in Leao’s absence. The midfield will remain strong, with new signing Luka Modric expected to start alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana, while Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupiñán provide width as wing-backs.
Milan are expected to deploy a 3-5-2 formation. Mike Maignan will start in goal, protected by a defensive trio of Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter, and Strahinja Pavlovic. Alexis Saelemaekers will operate on the right flank, with Pervis Estupiñán on the left.
In central midfield, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Modric, and Youssouf Fofana will form the core, combining creativity, physicality, and control. Up front, Christian Pulisic will partner Santiago Gimenez, with the duo tasked with breaking down Lecce’s defensive
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Fofana, Estupinan; Pulisic, Gimenez
US Lecce have drawn 13 of their 38 Serie A matches against AC Milan, the joint-most draws they have recorded against any opponent in the top flight, alongside Bologna.
AC Milan have won their last three Serie A meetings with Lecce. If they extend that streak, it will mark only the second time in their history that they have won four straight league games against the Salentini, the last such run coming between 1989 and 1993.
Lecce have managed just one win from 19 Serie A home games against AC Milan (D10 L8). Their sole victory came in April 2006 thanks to Axel Konan’s strike under coach Roberto Rizzo.
Last season, AC Milan failed to win either of their first two Serie A matches (draw vs Torino, loss vs Parma). The club has only twice before lost both of their opening two league games in a single season, in 2008/09 under Carlo Ancelotti and in 1986/87 under Nils Liedholm.
Lecce enter this match on the back of three consecutive Serie A clean sheets. They could record four in a row for the first time in their history in Italy’s top flight if they shut out Milan on Friday.
With Rafael Leao sidelined, much of AC Milan’s attacking responsibility will fall on Christian Pulisic. The American winger has already proven himself a decisive figure against Lecce, scoring four league goals against them, including a late brace in March that turned a difficult game into a 3-2 victory for the Rossoneri. His knack for stepping up in crucial moments makes him the man to watch once again.
Pulisic’s direct running, ability to cut inside, and sharp finishing give Milan a different dimension in the final third, particularly when paired with Santiago Gimenez in a two-man frontline. He also carries the confidence of knowing that Lecce’s defence has historically struggled to contain him.
For Massimiliano Allegri, Pulisic’s creativity and end product will be vital in compensating for the absence of Leão and ensuring Milan avoid another sluggish start to the season. If the Rossoneri are to find their first league win of the campaign at Via del Mare, Pulisic could well be the difference-maker.
Both teams enter this fixture under pressure to deliver early-season momentum. Milan’s superior quality, depth, and recent dominance over Lecce suggest they are strong favourites to bounce back from their opening-day disappointment. For Lecce, the absence of Nikola Krstovic looms large, and while they may frustrate Milan for periods, the visitors are expected to find a way through.
