AC Milan Cruise Past Lecce 3-0 to Celebrate San Siro Centenary

Fourteen minutes into a tense evening at a centenary-celebrating San Siro, Christian Pulisic brought down a 70-metre diagonal pass from Strahinja Pavlović, set himself in a single mid-air motion, and lifted a left-footed finish over Wladimiro Falcone. That sequence broke open what became a commanding 3-0 victory for AC Milan over US Lecce on Sunday, releasing the mounting pressure on manager Ruben Amorim following a heavy midweek Europa League defeat to Benfica.[2][3][6]

The stakes for the Rossoneri were clear. Having gone three matches without a win across all competitions, Milan needed a statement performance to pacify a restless fanbase. The 3-0 result pushed them to 11 points after five matches, moving them to within two points of the Serie A summit and providing Amorim with crucial breathing room ahead of an extended international break.[2][6]

The tactical flow favored the hosts from the outset. Milan dominated possession and territory, forcing Lecce manager Eusebio Di Francesco into a deep defensive posture. The home side's intent was clear: to control the tempo and avoid the unforced errors that had plagued their recent outings.[1][2]

While Lecce managed occasional vertical breaks—most notably a 76th-minute chance for Santiago Pierotti—Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan stood tall to preserve his clean sheet. The French international was rarely tested, but his late interventions ensured the centenary celebrations at San Siro were not spoiled by a consolation goal.[2]

Milan’s second goal arrived in the 61st minute, underscoring their improved fluidity. A tight one-two combination between Adrien Rabiot and Gonçalo Ramos allowed the French midfielder to sweep home his second Serie A goal of the season, effectively ending Lecce's resistance.[2][6]

Substitute Diego Moreira provided the final flourish in the 73rd minute. Picking up a loose ball from Jamil Siebert, the summer signing cut sharply inside and finished low at the near post for his third league goal in two matches.[2][4]

Defensively, Milan looked far more secure than in their 2-0 loss to Benfica. Koni De Winter and Mario Gila anchored the backline, while Pervis Estupiñán made a crucial 65th-minute clearance to deny Lecce's Joël Monteiro.[1][2]

For Lecce, the defeat extends a miserable head-to-head record; they remain winless in competitive fixtures against Milan since 2006. The Giallorossi sit 12th in the table on six points, needing to regroup before their next fixture.[4][6]

Amorim expressed satisfaction with the performance but noted the team’s ceiling is higher. "In recent games, we were rigid in our positions. This time, we had more freedom," Amorim said post-match. "We've improved, but we still have a lot to improve... We want to be dominant in all situations." Milan next travels to the MAPEI Stadium to face Sassuolo on October 11.[1][7]