Milan vs Lecce: A Match Worth More Than Three Points
The clash between Milan and Lecce is no ordinary fixture. It arrives at a delicate moment for the Rossoneri, who are coming off two consecutive Serie A draws against Juventus and Lazio, as well as a heavy defeat on their Europa League debut against Benfica. A run of results that has intensified scrutiny around the squad and head coach Ruben Amorim.
Adding further weight to the occasion, this game is followed immediately by a lengthy international break — three full weeks before the next competitive fixture. A factor that significantly amplifies the importance of Sunday night’s match at San Siro.
The Returns: Pulisic Leads the Comeback Brigade
The most anticipated news centres on the possible return to the starting eleven of several key players. Top of the list is Christian Pulisic, one of the most decisive players in the Rossoneri squad. The American attacker — who recently celebrated his birthday — endured a difficult summer, dealing with a lengthy pre-season injury and then suffering a setback at his very first full training session upon returning to the group.
The positive development is that Pulisic has not been called up by the United States national team for this international break, meaning he will spend three uninterrupted weeks working under Amorim at Milanello. A golden opportunity to build the tactical understanding that has so far been missing between the two, and to arrive at the next run of fixtures in peak condition, both physically and mentally.
Alongside the former Chelsea man, attention turns to Adrien Rabiot, a technically gifted and experienced central midfielder who could return to the starting lineup after recent rotation. The Frenchman is one of the most complete midfield profiles in the squad, and his presence could bring balance and quality to Milan’s build-up play.
Also expected to return from the first minute is Mario Gila in central defence, after the Spanish defender was rested for the Europa League clash with Benfica. That decision had generated considerable debate, as did the choice to start Terracciano in goal for the same match — a keeper who had been mentioned as a possible departure from the squad.
Completing the picture of potential returning starters are Moreira and Luka Modrić: in total, five key players who could feature from kick-off, a strong signal from Amorim that Milan will be going all-out for the three points against Lecce.
The Tactical Question: A Milan Still Without a Clear Identity?
Beyond the team selection, the tactical question remains very much open. In recent outings, Milan have shown clear contradictions: neither a side capable of dominating offensively, nor a compact and solid defensive unit. Across the last three games, the Rossoneri have conceded five goals — two to Benfica, two to Lazio, one to Juventus — a figure that reflects the struggles of a collective still searching for its true identity.
Amorim has repeatedly spoken of wanting to impose a precise footballing philosophy, but results and performances have yet to confirm this vision in any convincing way. The question circulating in the Rossoneri world is whether the Portuguese coach will continue with the heavy rotation that has characterised every match so far, or whether he will opt for a more stable and recognisable starting lineup, perhaps with four or five set choices and targeted rotation around them.
Gonzalo Ramos: The Striker Under Scrutiny, but the Issue Is Collective
Another major talking point is the form of Gonzalo Ramos, the Portuguese striker who arrived last summer as the most expensive purchase in AC Milan’s history in terms of transfer fee. The expectations surrounding him are enormous, and the early returns have not yet lived up to the billing.
It must be said clearly, however: the responsibility does not lie solely with the centre-forward. If Milan cannot build effective attacking patterns, if they do not exploit depth behind the opposition’s defensive line and do not deliver serviceable balls to their number 9, then the problem is systemic rather than individual. Against Benfica, for instance, the team barely attempted to play in behind the defence, leaving Ramos with virtually no meaningful reference points in the final third.
The Portuguese striker risks falling into the same cycle that has trapped several Milan centre-forwards in recent years — what fans refer to as the so-called «curse of the number 9 shirt» — but which in reality reflects a system of play that has consistently failed to get the best out of a lone striker. Amorim has both the brief and the ability to reverse this trend, and the upcoming international break could prove a pivotal moment to address it.
Looking Ahead to the Press Conference: Amorim Holds the Answers
All tactical questions will begin to find their answers at Amorim’s press conference scheduled for this afternoon: the moment when the Portuguese coach will reveal his intentions, his mindset and his selections for the Lecce match. His words will be crucial in understanding the direction he intends to take the team, both in the immediate term and over the medium-term horizon.
Milan have everything they need to win this game. With the big names available, with the backing of San Siro and with an entire squad hungry for redemption, Amorim’s side can and must leave the pitch with all three points, sending a statement of intent before heading into three weeks of rest. Forza Milan.
