Milan Returns to Winning Ways
AC Milan broke a three-game winless streak across all competitions with a convincing 3-0 victory over US Lecce. The win marked a significant turnaround for the club, which had previously drawn two Serie A matches against Juventus and Lazio, and suffered a 2-0 loss to Benfica in the Europa League [1]. The team’s performance against Lecce showcased a more fluid and attacking style, with coach Ruben Amorim reportedly giving the players more freedom on the pitch [1]. This result is a boost for Milan, who have been described as inconsistent under Amorim’s leadership [2].
The victory was highlighted by key individual performances and tactical adjustments. Christian Pulisic, making his first start of the season, scored his first competitive goal since December 28, 2025, ending a nine-month drought [1]. His goal, assisted by Strahinja Pavlović, set the tone for Milan’s dominant display [3]. Adrien Rabiot also found the back of the net, and young talent Diego Moreira continued his impressive form, scoring his third goal in two substitute appearances [4]. These contributions underscore the depth and potential within the Milan squad.
Pulisic’s Impact and Tactical Shifts
Christian Pulisic’s return to the starting XI was a major talking point ahead of the match, especially after suffering repeated injury problems in 2026 [1]. His inclusion proved pivotal, as he not only scored but was identified as Milan’s biggest attacking threat [4]. Coach Ruben Amorim had hinted at Pulisic, Diego Moreira, and Alexis Saelemaekers potentially playing together, and their combined efforts were evident in the team’s attacking prowess [5].
Beyond Pulisic, other tactical changes contributed to Milan’s success. Alexis Saelemaekers, for instance, was deployed in a trequartista role, supporting Goncalo Ramos, a position that allowed him to influence the game more effectively [1]. Adrien Rabiot’s return to central midfield also provided stability and an additional goal threat [6]. These adjustments, coupled with Amorim’s philosophy of weekly squad rotation, suggest a dynamic approach to team selection aimed at keeping opponents guessing and maximizing player performance [5].
Squad Depth and Future Prospects
The comprehensive victory over Lecce also highlighted the depth of AC Milan’s squad. Despite some players being unavailable, such as Warren Bondo due to not being on Milan’s Serie A list [6], the team demonstrated its ability to perform. Diego Moreira’s consistent scoring from the bench is a testament to the talent available to Amorim [4]. The coach’s willingness to rotate the starting XI, as seen with Luka Modric being benched for the entire match against Benfica [5], indicates a strategy to manage player fitness and provide opportunities across the squad.
This win, especially after a challenging run, could serve as a significant confidence booster for AC Milan. The return of key players like Pulisic to form, combined with effective tactical adjustments, bodes well for their upcoming fixtures. The team’s ability to secure a dominant victory while integrating new roles and returning players suggests a positive trajectory for their season, as they aim to build on this performance and maintain consistency in Serie A and European competitions.
What it means
AC Milan currently sits in 5th position in Serie A with 11 points from 5 matches. Their record of 3 wins and 2 draws, with no losses, indicates a strong start to the season, particularly in terms of avoiding defeat. The team has scored 10 goals and conceded 4, showcasing a solid balance between attack and defense. The recent 3-0 victory against US Lecce ended a winless run and improved their goal difference. Looking at their last five Serie A fixtures, Milan has secured three wins and two draws, demonstrating consistent form in the league. Their next fixture will be an opportunity to build on this momentum and continue their climb up the Serie A table.
Sources
- Football Italia: Pulisic on ‘difficult 2026’ as Saelemaekers says Milan ‘enjoyed ourselves’ football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Lecce look to end 7-year wait for a goal against Milan at San Siro football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Video: Pulisic finally breaks Milan drought with first goal of 2026 at club level football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Player ratings: Milan 3-0 Lecce – Pulisic steals the show, Moreira off the bench again football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Amorim: ‘Milan are dominant and not clinical, something wrong if you lose and feel the same’ football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Serie A: Milan vs. Lecce – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV football-italia.net ↩
