AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is uncertain about his starting lineup for the Serie A match against Lecce. Milan seeks to recover from a recent loss to Cremonese, where they struggled to convert chances. Lecce’s Tete Morente and Milan’s new signing Luka Modric are highlighted as key players to watch. Milan has a strong historical record against Lecce and is favored to win the upcoming match.
Massimiliano Allegri faces a selection headache as AC Milan prepares to host Lecce in their upcoming Serie A fixture. The Milan coach admitted his uncertainty about the starting eleven, adding intrigue to the highly anticipated match. Following a disappointing loss to Cremonese, Milan is eager to bounce back and secure a crucial victory.
In their previous outing against Cremonese, Milan dominated in terms of shots, registering an impressive 24 attempts on goal. However, their efforts were in vain as they failed to convert those chances into goals. Cremonese, on the other hand, capitalized on their limited opportunities, scoring twice from just three shots on target. Federico Bonazzoli's stunning strike highlighted Cremonese's efficiency in front of goal. Strahinja Pavlovic managed to pull one back for Milan with a powerful header, but it wasn't enough to salvage a positive result.
Milan's summer transfer activity has raised expectations, and their Coppa Italia victory over Bari offered a glimpse of their potential. With a solid record against Lecce, remaining unbeaten in 14 matches, including three consecutive wins, Allegri hopes his team can maintain their dominance. However, the coach remains cautious, emphasizing the need for respect and diligence in approaching the game.
"We need to approach the game correctly and with great respect," Allegri stated. "They have great enthusiasm; they played a great match in Genoa. [Lecce coach, Eusebio] Di Francesco makes his teams play well. We need to get on par with the others and run like them. Then our technical qualities will emerge, and that’s where we need to improve."
Allegri is focused on improving Milan's defensive solidity, acknowledging the need to reduce the number of goals conceded. "With work, we’ll focus more on defense. We’re working on it. We hope not to concede tomorrow, but the deficit of conceding too many goals can’t be overcome in a few weeks, but I’m sure we’ll overcome it," he explained.
Reflecting on the Cremonese defeat, Allegri highlighted the team's wastefulness in front of goal and defensive lapses. "Against Cremonese, we created a lot and shot a lot. We conceded two crosses where we were well-positioned, but mistakes followed," he said. "We conceded two goals from the two mistakes we made in the ninety minutes. We need to lower our game, if not eliminate it entirely. I still don’t know who will play tomorrow."
Players to Watch
Lecce – Tete Morente
Tete Morente stood out in Lecce's opening match against Genoa, leading the team in passes in the final third (20) and registering three shots on goal. With Nikola Krstovic's departure to Atalanta, Lecce will rely on Morente's productivity to fill the void.
Milan – Luka Modric
Luka Modric's arrival at Milan from Real Madrid has generated considerable excitement. The Croatian veteran, a Ballon d'Or winner in 2018, made an immediate impact in his Serie A debut, creating three chances and completing the most passes in the final third (32). His experience and creativity will be crucial for Milan's success.
Drilling. Discipline. Determination.
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— AC Milan (@acmilan) August 25, 2025
Match Prediction: Milan Win
Lecce's historical record against Milan at home is poor, with only one victory in 19 Serie A fixtures. Milan has won their last three league meetings with Lecce and aims to secure their fourth consecutive victory against the Salento club. While Lecce has drawn more matches against Milan than against most other opponents, Milan's superior quality should see them emerge victorious.
Opta Win Probability
- Lecce: 21.4%
- Draw: 25.0%
- Milan: 53.6%