AC Milan Kicks Off Season with Crucial Win Against Lecce

AC Milan has officially notched their first victory of the 2025-26 Serie A season, overcoming Lecce with a hard-fought 2-0 win on the road. The Rossoneri, under the guidance of manager Massimiliano Allegri, demonstrated resilience after an initial defeat to Cremonese, with key goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic securing all three points.

The match was not without its moments of tension and VAR drama. Milan initially believed they had taken the lead early in the sixth minute when Matteo Gabbia headed home, but the goal was swiftly disallowed following a VAR review that identified a foul in the penalty area. Further VAR intervention just after the hour mark saw Santiago Gimenez's strike ruled out for offside, prolonging Milan's wait for a breakthrough.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 66th minute through a towering header from Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The midfielder skillfully converted Luka Modric's precisely delivered free-kick, sending the ball past Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone. This assist was particularly noteworthy, as it marked a significant milestone for Modric, who, at 39 years and 354 days, became the oldest midfielder in Serie A history to provide an assist. His enduring class continues to shine on the biggest stages.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek celebrates scoring the opening goal for AC Milan against Lecce.

The victory was cemented nine minutes after Christian Pulisic entered the fray as a substitute. Capitalizing on a defensive error from Lecce, Pulisic unleashed a left-footed shot that found the back of the net, effectively sealing the win for the Rossoneri. This goal underscores Pulisic's impact and provides a positive sign for Allegri's side as they aim to build crucial momentum in the nascent stages of the season.

For Lecce, the struggle continues. The team has yet to register a goal in Serie A this season and has now gone four consecutive league games without finding the net, highlighting a pressing need for offensive improvement.