LECCE v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

AC Milan are preparing to face Lecce at the Stadio Via del Mare on matchday 2 of the 2025/26 Serie A season, with kick-off set for 20:45 CEST on 29 August. Massimiliano Allegri’s men will be looking to bounce back after their opening-day defeat, while Di Francesco’s side are aiming to build on the defensive solidity they showed against Genoa. Both teams are ready to give their all in this early stage of the campaign. Here’s our Match Preview as we count down to kick-off.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
AC Milan come into this fixture following a defeat to Cremonese on the opening day of the Serie A season. Despite the setback, the Rossoneri played some good football and created numerous chances. In the Coppa Italia, they recorded a convincing win against Bari, demonstrating they have what it takes to approach upcoming challenges with confidence. Allegri's side are determined to improve and get their first victory in the league, and they hope to do so with a solid collective performance. Up front, Rafa Leão will again be absent, with the attacking responsibilities once again falling to Gimenez and Pulisic.

"We want to redeem ourselves," said Massimiliano Allegri. "Against Lecce, we will have the chance to pick ourselves back up against a quick team who play an organised style of football. The important thing will be to approach the game in the right way and with respect: they're coming off the back of a survived relegation battle, which has boosted them, and they got a good point against Genoa."

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LATEST FROM LECCE
Lecce began their Serie A campaign with a goalless draw against Genoa. Di Francesco’s side were disciplined and well-organised, keeping a clean sheet. In the Coppa Italia, Lecce came away with a convincing 2-0 win over Juve Stabia, and AC Milan will be their opponents in the second round. The Salentini will look to use their home advantage to get a positive result against the Rossoneri with a compact and determined performance. Plenty of eyes will be on Francesco Camarda, up against his parent club. Rafia and Pierret are both doubts after missing training the day before the game, although Pierotti is back from suspension.

"We have to be very attentive," said Eusebio Di Francesco. "AC Milan are excellent at turning defence into attack. We’ll need to keep a close eye on their midfield runners, which is one of the main characteristics of Allegri's sides. Tomorrow, they'll be missing some key players, and for us, it's better that Leão isn't available. I'm not thinking too much about the opposition, though, because moments in a game can always change its course."

PRE-MATCH NUMBERS

• AC Milan are one of two teams, along with Bologna, against whom Lecce have drawn the most Serie A matches: 13 draws in 38 meetings, with the Salentini winning twice and the Rossoneri 23 times.
• Between the end of last season and the start of this one, Lecce have kept three consecutive clean sheets and could record four successive shutouts for the first time ever in Serie A.
• Francesco Camarda made twelve appearances for AC Milan over the past two Serie A seasons, and of all players in Europe’s top five leagues with more than ten appearances since 2023/24, the Lecce forward is the youngest (born in March 2008).
• In Serie A, Lecce are the side Christian Pulisic has had the most scoring success against. He’s bagged four times against them, including his only away brace in the competition in the most recent meeting between the sides. Across Europe’s top five leagues, the US international has only scored more goals against Crystal Palace (five).

WHERE TO WATCH LECCE v AC MILAN
In Italy, the game will be broadcast on DAZN, Sky and Now. To watch in a different country, visit the "AC Milan on TV" page and consult the section under "Abroad". On the Rossoneri's channels, matchday coverage on Milan TV will begin at 19:45 CEST, leading up to kick-off, followed by interviews and a press conference with Massimiliano Allegri. Don't miss our coverage on acmilan.com, the AC Milan Official App, our social media channels and WhatsApp.

LATEST FROM SERIE A
The referee for the match will be Livio Marinelli, who will have Pietro Dei Giudici and Vito Mastrodonato as his assistants. Alberto Arena will perform the role of fourth official, while Davide Ghersini, assisted by Francesco Meraviglia will oversee VAR.

Matchday 2 of the 2025/26 Serie A season will kick off this evening with Cremonese v Sassuolo (18:30 CEST) and Lecce v AC Milan (20:45 CEST). Bologna v Como (18:30 CEST), Parma v Atalanta (18:30 CEST), Napoli v Cagliari (20:45 CEST) and Pisa v Roma (20:45 CEST) will all be played on Saturday. On Sunday, the following fixtures are scheduled: Genoa v Juventus (18:30 CEST), Torino v Fiorentina (18:30 CEST), Inter v Udinese (20:45 CEST) and Lazio v Hellas Verona (20:45 CEST).

This is the current league table: Inter, Napoli, Como, Juventus, Cremonese and Roma 3; Fiorentina, Pisa, Verona, Atalanta, Cagliari, Udinese, Genoa and Lecce 1; AC Milan, Bologna, Lazio, Parma, Sassuolo and Torino 0.

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