Fullkrug Scores Late Winner As Milan Edge Lecce

On a brisk January night at San Siro, AC Milan fans finally had cause to celebrate as their team edged past a stubborn Lecce side, claiming a vital 1-0 victory in Serie A. The hero of the evening? None other than new signing Niclas Fullkrug, whose late header not only broke the deadlock but also injected fresh hope into Milan’s title chase.

From the opening whistle, it was clear Milan meant business. The Rossoneri, buoyed by their recent win over Como and eager to maintain momentum, pressed forward relentlessly. Coach Massimiliano Allegri, known for his tactical ingenuity, opted for an unorthodox midfield trio of Ricci, Jashari, and Rabiot. It was a bold move, but one that ultimately paid off as Milan dominated possession and dictated the rhythm of the match.

Lecce, meanwhile, arrived at San Siro on the back of three consecutive defeats and with a squad hampered by injuries and absences. Coach Eusebio Di Francesco was forced to field a patchwork lineup, missing key players like Kialonda Gaspar, Danilo Veiga, Francesco Camarda, and Medon Berisha. Yet, his men defended with grit and organization, determined to snatch a result against the odds.

The first half unfolded much as many had predicted: Milan camped in Lecce’s half, probing for an opening, while the visitors sat deep, looking to frustrate their illustrious hosts. Rafael Leao thought he’d found the breakthrough early on, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside. Alexis Saelemaekers, one of the liveliest players on the pitch, curled a shot just wide in the sixth minute, then set up Christian Pulisic for a chance that forced Lecce’s goalkeeper, Wladimiro Falcone, into his first save of the night.

Falcone would go on to be Lecce’s standout performer. The shot-stopper produced a string of outstanding saves, including a superb stop to deny Pulisic from close range in the second half. According to Football Italia, "Another impressive evening for the Lecce shot-stopper, who has gone under the radar as one of the most impressive in the league. Unfortunate not to keep a clean sheet after a very busy night." His bravery and quick reflexes kept Lecce in the contest, as Milan’s attackers—Pulisic, Leao, and Estupiñan—peppered his goal with shots.

Christian Pulisic, who had been rested in the previous match against Como, returned to the starting lineup. The USMNT star has been Allegri’s top scorer this season, but on this occasion, he struggled to find his usual spark. He was eventually replaced by Fullkrug in the 73rd minute, a substitution that would prove decisive. As Football Italia put it, "A very rare bad day at the office for the American, who looked off his usual pace. Was dealt with effectively by the Lecce defence and was eventually replaced by match-winner Fullkrug."

Allegri’s tactical acumen was on full display. With the clock ticking and Milan’s title hopes hanging in the balance, he threw on Fullkrug—a player who had arrived with question marks after a tough spell at West Ham and an early injury scare in training. But the German striker wasted no time making his mark. Just three minutes after entering the fray, Fullkrug rose to meet a perfectly weighted cross from Saelemaekers, heading home from close range to send the San Siro faithful into raptures.

"Arrived in Milan with some question marks after his poor spell in England with West Ham and suffered an immediate knock in training. However, he recovered in time to star tonight and came off the bench to score the winner," Football Italia noted, awarding Fullkrug their Player of the Match honors. The 76th-minute goal was not only his first for Milan but also his maiden strike in Serie A—a moment he and the fans won’t soon forget.

Despite going behind, Lecce tried to muster a response, pushing forward in the dying minutes. But Milan’s defense, marshaled by Maignan in goal and the trio of Tomori, Gabbia, and De Winter, held firm. The Salentini managed only a single corner late on, while Milan nearly doubled their lead through Nkunku, only for Falcone to pull off yet another save.

The final whistle brought relief and jubilation in equal measure. Milan’s hard-fought win keeps them in second place in the Serie A standings, now on 46 points—just three behind city rivals Inter Milan. The victory also extends their unbeaten run and consolidates their position in the race for the Scudetto. As Reuters reported, "A profligate AC Milan secured a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Lecce on Sunday, with Niclas Fullkrug heading in a late winner to ensure they kept pace in the Serie A title race."

For Allegri, the result was a testament to his squad’s depth and resilience. The midfield trio, though unconventional, managed to break down Lecce’s resistance, while the introduction of Fullkrug proved a masterstroke. "His unorthodox midfield, comprising of Ricci, Jashari and Rabiot, fared very well and eventually broke down a resilient Lecce defence. Bringing on Fullkrug unlocked the victory," Football Italia remarked, giving Allegri a solid rating for his tactical decisions.

Lecce, for their part, can take heart from a disciplined defensive display and the heroics of Falcone. However, their struggles in attack were evident, with Nikola Stulic and his fellow forwards unable to capitalize on the rare opportunities that came their way. "Ineffective on the ball in the rare opportunity he had. Worked quite hard to track back and wasn’t afraid to put a foot in to break up a Milan attack. However, missed a couple of half chances and was eventually substituted off," Football Italia observed about Stulic’s performance.

Looking ahead, Milan’s attention now turns to a tricky away fixture in Rome against Gasperini’s Giallorossi—a direct rival in the race for a top-four finish. With the squad in good form and new signings like Fullkrug making an immediate impact, optimism is running high at San Siro. For Lecce, the challenge will be to regroup, address their attacking woes, and end their losing streak as they fight to climb the table.

In the end, it was a night that belonged to Niclas Fullkrug—a debut goal, three precious points, and a statement of intent from Milan as the Serie A title race heats up. With Inter still in their sights, the Rossoneri have shown they have the grit, depth, and determination to keep the pressure on at the summit of Italian football.