Niclas Fullkrug got here off the bench and met the Alexis Saelemaekers cross for his first Milan purpose, which lastly broke down Lecce’s defences for a treasured victory.
The Rossoneri consolidated second place with a midweek rescheduled because of the Adrien Rabiot brace in opposition to the run of play. Santiago Gimenez was the one absentee, as Christian Pulisic returned to , however Luka Modric and Youssouf Fofana have been rested. Lecce had one level from 5 rounds, although that was a shocking 1-1 draw away to Juventus they usually misplaced 1-0 at San Siro to Inter on Wednesday. Francesco Camarda’s shoulder damage prevented him going through his guardian membership, with Medon Berisha additionally out, Kialonda Gaspar and Danilo Veiga suspended. Lameck Banda and Ylber Ramadani returned from bans.
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MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Pervis Estupinan of AC Milan controls the ball throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
Alexis Saelemaekers curled vast from the sting of the realm, whereas Rafael Leao had the ball within the web solely after wandering offside on a Saelemaekers go.
Tiago Gabriel made a decisive interception to stop Pulisic tapping within the Saelemaekers roll throughout, then the pair did efficiently mix for the American’s angled drive parried by Wladimiro Falcone’s legs on the close to publish.
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Antonino Gallo threw himself in the way in which of a Saelemaekers effort inside the realm after the restart, with Matteo Gabbia’s free header over type the ensuing nook.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Rafael Leao of AC Milan shoots as Wladimiro Falcone of US Lecce makes an attempt to make a save throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
Pervis Estupinan additionally blasted over from distance, however Falcone acquired down for a incredible response save to fingertip the Samuele Ricci daisy-cutter spherical the bottom of the close to publish.
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Falcone was much more spectacular moments later, denying Pulisic who was despatched clear on purpose by a perfectly-weighted Leao first-time go.
Rabiot ballooned over from 9 yards on the Estupinan roll throughout, then Ruben Loftus-Cheek was shocked by the Rabiot knock-back and couldn’t steer it in from shut vary.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan shoots while below stress from Antonino Gallo of US Lecce throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
The siege ultimately paid off, as Gabbia’s lengthy ball despatched Saelemaekers down the precise and his cross discovered the glancing Fullkrug header from 5 yards. It was the previous West Ham United striker’s first purpose within the Milan jersey after his January switch, and he had solely been on the pitch for 3 minutes.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Niclas Fullkrug of AC Milan celebrates scoring his workforce’s first purpose throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
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Saelemaekers went off with a muscular challenge quickly after, whereas Christopher Nkunku was too gradual to take advantage of the impressed Luka Modric go.
Falcone made one other large save in stoppages, denying Nkunku from point-blank vary on a Rabiot roll throughout.
Milan 1-0 Lecce
Fullkrug 76 (M)