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The atmosphere at the iconic San Siro was electric on September 23, 2025, as AC Milan prepared to host Lecce in the Coppa Italia round of 16. Milan arrived on a high‑confidence wave, having chalked up three consecutive clean‑sheet victories in Serie A and a 3‑0 win over Udinese that showcased both defensive discipline and attacking fluency.
Lecce, meanwhile, were fighting a relegation battle after four league matches left them anchored at the bottom of the table. Their recent 2‑0 loss to Milan on August 29 (away) only widened the gap, and the Salentini’s squad entered the tie with several injuries to key midfielders, forcing manager Igor Tudor to rely on youth and experience in equal measure.
Historically, the two clubs have never met on equal footing. Out of 13 official meetings, Milan have secured nine wins, four draws and no losses. The most recent encounter was a textbook display of Milan’s tactical edge – 55% possession, six shots on target versus Lecce’s two, and a disciplined foul count (8 to 10). Those numbers set the expectations high for a one‑sided affair.
In terms of line‑ups, Milan’s manager Stefano Pioli opted for a 4‑2‑3‑1 that kept the defensive midfielder pair of Lucas Paquetá and Sandro Tonali in place, allowing the attacking trio of Rafael Leão, Youssef En-Nesyri and the ever‑versatile Tomislav Baraković to roam. The bench offered depth, with Samu Castillejo and Thai Viet Như likely to come on for fresh legs.
Lecce’s coach, on the other hand, went with a pragmatic 3‑5‑2, hoping to block Milan’s wingers and hit on the counter‑attack. With veteran centre‑back Andrea Belotti missing through suspension, the hosts leaned heavily on the young centre‑back duo of Daniele Maffeis and Riccardo Berretti.
Match report and key moments
The whistle blew and Milan immediately took control. Early pressure from the right flank forced Lecce’s backline into a premature clearance, which landed at the feet of Nahuel Giménez. The Argentine forward’s clinical finish inside the box gave Milan a 1‑0 lead in the 12th minute, confirming the pre‑match predictions.
Lecce tried to regroup, pushing a high block and looking for a quick break through striker Francesco Rossi. However, Milan’s midfield duo smothered any attempt at sustained possession, forcing the visitors into long balls that rarely troubled the Rossoneri’s defensive line.
The second goal came three minutes later when Christopher Nkunku slipped into the half‑space, receiving a neat pass from Leão and curling a low shot past the Lecce keeper. The 2‑0 scoreline arrived before the half‑hour mark and forced the underdogs to chase the game.
Lecce managed a brief surge around the 30th minute, winning a corner that rattled the post, but a clear‑cut chance for Rossi was saved by Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who made his third key intervention of the half.
After the break the intensity remained high. Milan’s depth shone as Pioli introduced Samu Castillejo, whose movement opened a channel on the left. Ten minutes into the second half, Castillejo’s cross found Christian Pulisic, who slotted home his 15th goal of the season, sealing a 3‑0 victory.
Statistically, Milan out‑performed Lecce across the board: 60% possession, 14 shots (8 on target), and a total of 10 corners compared with Lecce’s 4. The Rossoneri committed just six fouls, half of Lecce’s tally, underscoring their disciplined approach.
Post‑match, Pioli praised his squad’s “collective hunger” and hinted at a rotation strategy for the upcoming league fixtures, emphasizing the need to keep the squad fresh for a congested calendar that includes Europa League commitments.
- Goal scorers: Nahuel Giménez (12'), Christopher Nkunku (15'), Christian Pulisic (65')
- Key performers: Mike Maignan (saves), Tomislav Baraković (link‑up play), Samu Castillejo (impact sub)
- Man of the match: Christopher Nkunku – for his movement, vision and decisive finish
The win propels Milan into the quarter‑finals, where they will face the winner of the Fiorentina–Sassuolo tie. With their squad depth already proving decisive, the Rossoneri appear well‑positioned to chase both domestic and European silverware this season.
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