After losing their first Serie A match of the season, AC Milan must secure three points against Lecce on Friday night.
This past week has been unusual for Milan, as they’ve chased various targets in the transfer market while questions linger about Massimiliano Allegri’s satisfaction. In a recent press conference, he remained tight-lipped, directing his focus toward the upcoming game and the transfer window instead of discussing himself.
Friday’s match holds significant importance for the Rossoneri. The defeat in the opening game exposed serious issues within the squad, and with a toxic atmosphere surrounding the club, improvements are urgently needed.
Game Date: Friday, August 29
Kick-off Time: 20:45 (CEST)
Venue: Stadio Via Del Mare
Referee: Livio Marinelli (VAR: Ghersini)
Team News
There haven’t been any new signings since last weekend’s loss to Cremonese, limiting the potential for changes in the starting XI. However, Milan is expected to finalize the acquisition of Christopher Nkunku soon, which may influence the lineup.
A report indicated that Allegri has been experimenting with a 4-2-3-1 formation in training, featuring Alexis Saelemaekers on the right and Christian Pulisic on the left, with Luka Modric positioned behind Santiago Gimenez.
Nevertheless, an injury to Ardon Jashari is likely to disrupt these plans, as he will be unavailable for several months. Additionally, Rafael Leao will also miss this weekend’s match.
This indicates Allegri might maintain the same setup used during Matchday 1. Mike Maignan will return as goalkeeper, and despite speculation about Koni De Winter stepping in, the defense is likely to remain unchanged, featuring Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlovic, and Fikayo Tomori.
The Opponents
Lecce narrowly avoided relegation last season and has made several changes over the summer, aiming for a stronger league performance. Eusebio Di Francesco took over as head coach in June and has invested significantly to bolster the squad after losing key players in previous years.
With Nikola Krstovic transferring to Atalanta for €25 million, Di Francesco will bank on Nikola Stulic and Francesco Camarda for their attacking threat this season, while Riccardo Sottil will be instrumental in preventing relegation.
Defensively, Lecce has reinforced its ranks with younger talents like Jamil Siebert and Christ-Owen Kouassi, forming a solid back five with Wladimiro Falcone, Kouassi, Gabriel, Gaspar, and Gallo in front of them.
Head to Head
Friday marks the 46th meeting between Milan and Lecce, with Milan leading the record with 28 wins, while Lecce has won just twice. Since their return to Serie A in 2019-20, the teams have faced off eight times, with Milan securing several substantial victories, including a recent 2-3 win.
Despite having two goals disallowed and conceding twice, Milan managed to rally back, thanks to two goals from Christian Pulisic and one own goal.
Key Stats and Facts
➤ At Via del Mare, there have been 23 official matches, with Milan winning 10, Lecce securing 1 victory, and 12 matches ending in a draw.
➤ In the last seven matchups between Lecce and Milan in Salento, both teams have found the net, resulting in a total of 29 goals.
➤ Pulisic has scored 33 goals for Milan, with four of those against Lecce, making them his favorite opponent.
➤ Allegri has managed just two wins in his last 16 Serie A matches, with his last victory occurring in April 2024.
Ones to Watch
Milan’s lineup remains uncertain, but if Gabbia starts again, he must display stronger leadership after a less-than-stellar performance against Cremonese. Similarly, Santiago Gimenez needs to earn the fans’ and Allegri’s trust following a disappointing outing and the recent injury to Jashari.
For Lecce, Francesco Camarda is set for his second consecutive start, familiar with Milan’s defenders, while left-back Antonino Gallo could be crucial in providing crosses to support Camarda.
Prediction
Given the recent turmoil and Leao’s impending absence, this match won’t be straightforward for Milan. As tension builds from recent transfer market developments, a draw is a realistic outcome for the home side, who have been challenging for Milan in past encounters.
Lecce 1-1 Milan
