The hallowed grounds of the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan are set to ignite tonight, Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as AC Milan host Lecce in a crucial Coppa Italia Round of 32 clash. Kicking off at 19:00 UTC (21:00 CEST), this encounter isn’t just about advancing in the cup; it’s a litmus test for both teams’ early-season ambitions. For the Rossoneri, it’s an opportunity to extend a burgeoning winning streak and reaffirm their Coppa Italia aspirations under returning manager Massimiliano Allegri, who will be watching from the stands due to a suspension. Lecce, meanwhile, faces a stern challenge away from home, hoping to defy their recent struggles and pull off a cup upset that could inject much-needed confidence into their campaign. What’s truly at stake tonight for Lecce is more than just progression; it’s a chance to snap a dismal run against one of Italy’s giants and prove their mettle on a grand stage.
Head-to-Head History: A Rossoneri Dominance
Tonight marks the 47th meeting between AC Milan and Lecce across all competitions. The historical record heavily favors the Milanese giants, who boast 29 victories to Lecce’s mere two, with 15 draws completing the tally. Milan has also significantly outscored their counterparts, netting 99 goals compared to Lecce’s 42 in their encounters.
Recent Meetings (Last 5 Competitive Matches):
- 29 August 2025: Lecce 0-2 AC Milan (Serie A)
- 08 March 2025: Lecce 2-3 AC Milan (Serie A)
- 27 September 2024: AC Milan 3-0 Lecce (Serie A)
- 06 April 2024: AC Milan 3-0 Lecce (Serie A)
- 11 November 2023: Lecce 2-2 AC Milan (Serie A)
Notably, AC Milan has won the last four consecutive encounters against Lecce. A memorable past fixture saw Milan stage an incredible comeback from 3-0 down to defeat Lecce 4-3 in October 2011. Christian Pulisic has also shown a particular fondness for playing against Lecce, having scored five goals against them, including a brace in their 3-2 victory in March 2025.
Current Form & Team News
AC Milan
The Rossoneri enter this Coppa Italia tie in strong domestic form, having won their last three Serie A matches. After an initial 2-1 defeat to Cremonese in their opening league game, Milan swiftly recovered with a 2-0 away win against Lecce, followed by a 1-0 victory over Bologna, and most recently, a commanding 3-0 triumph against Udinese. Their Coppa Italia journey began with a comfortable 2-0 win over Bari.
Last 5 Matches (W-D-L): W-W-W-L-W (Udinese 3-0, Bologna 1-0, Lecce 2-0, Cremonese 1-2, Bari 2-0)
Team News: Manager Massimiliano Allegri will serve the second of a two-game Coppa Italia suspension, with his assistant Marco Landucci taking charge from the dugout. On the injury front, star forward Rafael Leao (calf) remains sidelined and is targeting a return for the crucial Serie A clash against Napoli on September 28. Midfielder Ardon Jashari is a long-term absentee with a fractured leg, expected out until November. First-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan, however, is expected to return to the starting lineup after a calf issue.
Allegri is expected to heavily rotate his squad to keep players fresh for upcoming league fixtures. Summer signings Samuele Ricci and Christopher Nkunku are both tipped for their first starts, while Koni De Winter could feature at left centre-back. Christian Pulisic, fresh off a two-goal, one-assist performance against Udinese, is in excellent form and has a proven track record against Lecce.
Lecce
Lecce’s form has been considerably less encouraging. They secured a 2-0 victory against Juve Stabia in their Coppa Italia opener, but their Serie A campaign has seen them struggle. After a goalless draw against Genoa, they have suffered three consecutive league defeats: 0-2 against AC Milan, 1-4 against Atalanta, and 1-2 against Cagliari.
Last 5 Matches (W-D-L): L-L-L-D-W (Cagliari 1-2, Atalanta 1-4, AC Milan 0-2, Genoa 0-0, Juve Stabia 2-0)
Team News: Lecce will be without midfielder Balthazar Pierret due to gastrointestinal discomfort or muscle fatigue. Long-term absentees Gaby Jean and Filip Marchwinski (both cruciate ligament injuries) remain unavailable. Riccardo Sottil, who was on loan at San Siro last season, has not been included in Lecce’s squad list for this match. Summer signing Nikola Stulic is expected to lead the line as the central striker, with Francesco Camarda a potential starter in the attacking trio.
Tactical Preview
AC Milan, even with significant rotation, is expected to maintain Massimiliano Allegri’s favored 3-5-2 formation. This setup prioritizes defensive solidity and allows for fluid transitions in attack, utilizing wing-backs like Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupinan for width. The midfield battle will be crucial, with the likes of Youssouf Fofana, Samuele Ricci, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek tasked with controlling possession and dictating tempo. Upfront, the partnership of Christopher Nkunku and Santiago Gimenez will aim to exploit any defensive vulnerabilities. Milan’s recent performances have showcased both their defensive resilience and attacking potency, particularly from open play and through set-pieces.
Lecce, under Eusebio Di Francesco, is likely to deploy a 4-3-3 system. Their defensive line, featuring Kouassi, Gabriel, Gaspar, and Gallo, will need to be exceptionally disciplined to contain Milan’s varied attack. The midfield trio of Ylber Ramadani, Alex Sala, and Lassana Coulibaly will be pivotal in disrupting Milan’s rhythm and launching quick counter-attacks. The attacking threats are expected to come from Santiago Pierotti and Nikola Stulic, who will need to be clinical to make an impact against a well-drilled Milan defense. Given their recent struggles and Milan’s strong home form, Lecce will likely adopt a cautious approach, looking to absorb pressure and hit on the break.
With the match being played at San Siro, AC Milan will benefit from the familiar surroundings and home support. No adverse weather conditions are anticipated to significantly impact play, and both teams are accustomed to domestic travel, so fatigue should not be a decisive factor.
