With the fierce battle for the 2025/26 Serie A title heating up, AC Milan found themselves in a must-win scenario as they welcomed Lecce to the iconic San Siro. Milan supporters expected fireworks after witnessing a series of close calls in the opening exchanges. The Rossoneri’s attack bristled with energy, as Alexis Saelemaekers saw his elegant curling effort slip just wide of the far post, while Matteo Gabbia, unmarked in the box, couldn’t capitalize on an inviting free header from Adrien Rabiot’s measured cross.
VAR drama and a goalkeeper under siege
Just moments later, the Milan faithful thought their patience had paid off. Rafael Leao sprinted clear, latching onto a clever through-ball and audaciously chipping Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone. Ecstasy turned to agony in seconds, as the offside flag swiftly cut short the celebrations.
Lecce’s defensive unit, marshaled by the ever-alert Falcone, weathered a relentless barrage. The Lecce keeper produced fine stops to deny Samuele Ricci and Christian Pulisic, each attempt raising the tension in the stands. Milan’s measured build-up play and dominance in possession—a stunning 68.6%—kept the home side in control, but the breakthrough remained elusive.
Fullkrug writes his name in Milanese folklore
Enter Niclas Fullkrug, the West Ham loanee, who was introduced in the 73rd minute. Barely three minutes later, he soared above the Lecce defense to meet a pinpoint Saelemaekers cross, steering a powerful header home. Fullkrug’s first goal for Milan was both timely and historic: he became only the third German to score for AC Milan in Serie A, following in the footsteps of Oliver Bierhoff and Christian Ziege.
This decisive strike capped a performance of attacking relentlessness, as Milan registered 20 shots with an xG of 2.6, dwarfing Lecce’s three attempts. This statistic alone underlines the wave after wave of Rossoneri pressure applied throughout the match, emphasizing why Milan so richly deserved their reward.
Breaking records: past, present, and what comes next
Milan’s latest victory not only cut the gap to three points behind leaders Inter, but also set historical benchmarks. They have now achieved five consecutive league victories over Lecce, replicating a streak last seen from 1989 to 1993— an era fondly remembered by long-time supporters.
Even more impressively, Milan is now undefeated in their last 20 Serie A fixtures—a feat last accomplished in the legendary 1992-93 campaign under Fabio Capello. This unbroken run, spanning months of grueling league action, speaks to the resilience and evolving tactical discipline installed by Massimiliano Allegri.
While results like these fuel optimism, Milan will know that the race for the ‘Scudetto’ is far from over. The margins are slim, and every fixture from here on out becomes a test of nerve, talent, and unity. With history echoing its encouragement and new heroes stepping into the spotlight, the Rossoneri look poised to write the next dramatic chapter in their storied Serie A journey. Sometimes, one goal is all it takes to ignite a dream—are we witnessing the first sparks of something unforgettable?