Match Overview
On a crisp September evening at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium, AC Milan demonstrated why they are one of Italy’s premier clubs, dispatching newly‑promoted Lecco 3-0 in the second round of the Coppa Italia. The Rossoneri pressed high from the first whistle, forcing Lecce to defend deep. Their efforts paid off in the 18th minute when defender J. Siebert saw red for a second‑bookable offense, reducing the visitors to ten men for the bulk of the encounter.
Just two minutes after the dismissal, Mexican forward Santiago Giménez pounced on a loose ball inside the box and slotted it past Fruchtl, giving Milan an early lead and setting the tempo for the rest of the match. The goal was a textbook example of capitalising on a numerical edge – a swift, one‑touch finish that left the Lecce back line scrambling.
After the half‑time break, the French attacker Christopher Nkunku doubled Milan’s advantage in the 51st minute. He collected a pass from Ruben Loftus‑Cheek on the right flank, cut inside, and curled a low shot into the bottom corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. The goal underscored Milan’s fluid transition from defence to attack, a pattern that has defined their cup performances this season.
American winger Christian Pulisic capped the scoring spree in the 64th minute. Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, he dribbled past a defender before unleashing a powerful strike that rattled the cross‑bar and found the net. The trio of goals not only sealed the win but also highlighted Milan’s depth across the forward line.
Both managers stuck to their preferred line‑ups. Milan’s starting XI featured captain Mike Maignan in goal, a back line of Fikayo Tomori, Koni de Winter and Strahinja Pavlovic, a midfield trio of Loftus‑Cheek, Samuele Ricci and Adrien Rabiot, and an attacking unit led by Giménez, Nkunku and supported by Alexis Saelemaekers. Lecce, despite being a man down, lined up in a 4‑3‑3 formation, with Fruchtl guarding the net and a front three of Morente, Camarda and N'Dri trying to stretch Milan’s defence.
Implications and Looking Ahead
The victory propels Milan into the round of 16, where they will face a tougher opponent, likely one of the Serie A heavyweights. Coach Stefano Pioli praised his squad’s discipline, noting that the early red card forced Milan to stay sharp and avoid complacency. "We knew we had to be clinical," Pioli said in the post‑match interview. "The boys responded well to the challenge and kept the intensity up for the full 90 minutes."
Beyond the immediate result, the win offers a glimpse into Milan’s tactical flexibility. With Maignan commanding the box, Pioli can afford his full‑backs to push high, knowing the defence remains solid. The midfield’s blend of physicality (Loftus‑Cheek) and creativity (Rabiot) provides a balanced platform for quick counter‑attacks, a strategy that served them well against a ten‑men Lecce.
For the players who found the net, the performance bolsters their case for regular league starts. Giménez, having joined Milan last summer, now has three goals in his first cup appearances, while Nkunku’s continued adaptation to Italian football underlines his value as a versatile attacker. Pulisic, still recovering form after injuries, used the match to showcase his speed and finishing, adding a layer of optimism for his role in the upcoming Serie A fixtures.
Lecce, on the other hand, will regroup after a disappointing exit. Coach Giuseppe Iachini lamented the impact of the early dismissal, stressing that a more disciplined defensive approach could have kept them in the game longer. The loss also means they miss out on the financial boost and exposure that a deeper cup run offers.
Looking forward, Milan’s path in the Coppa Italia could become a pivotal part of their season narrative. A successful cup run often provides momentum for league campaigns, and Pioli appears keen to add another trophy to the club’s cabinet, echoing the successes of previous decades. As the Rossoneri prepare for their next challenge, fans will be watching closely to see if this commanding display against Lecce translates into further triumphs in the 2025‑26 season.
