A Mixed Night at San Siro
AC Milan secured three points against Lecce, but the performance left fans divided. While Luka Modric dominated midfield with masterful control, Milan’s forwards struggled to find rhythm. Ultimately, substitute Christian Pulisic provided the spark needed to seal the victory.
Here is the full breakdown of AC Milan player ratings from their clash with Lecce.
Goalkeeper and Defense
Mike Maignan – Reliable Between the Posts (Rating: 7/10)
Maignan produced key saves when Lecce threatened on the counter. His distribution remained sharp, although he misjudged one cross late on. Overall, he provided composure and leadership at the back.
Davide Calabria – Solid but Cautious (Rating: 6.5/10)
Calabria defended diligently but offered little going forward. He focused on keeping Lecce’s wingers quiet, though his passing forward lacked imagination. His performance felt steady but unspectacular.
Fikayo Tomori – Rock at the Back (Rating: 7/10)
Tomori maintained focus throughout the game. He won aerial duels and made crucial interceptions. His pace helped Milan cover defensive gaps when Lecce countered quickly.
Malick Thiaw – Patchy but Composed Late (Rating: 6/10)
Thiaw showed strength in duels but looked sloppy in the first half with misplaced passes. However, he regained composure after halftime and prevented Lecce from breaking through.
Theo Hernandez – Energetic Runs Without End Product (Rating: 6.5/10)
Theo drove forward relentlessly, stretching Lecce’s defense. Yet, his final delivery disappointed. Several crosses failed to find teammates, frustrating the attacking buildup.
Midfield
Luka Modric – The Midfield General (Rating: 8.5/10)
Modric displayed his trademark class. He dictated tempo, switched play with precision, and kept Milan composed under pressure. His vision created two clear chances, though forwards failed to convert.
At 39, his intelligence continues to shine. His leadership provided calm in chaotic moments, making him Milan’s standout performer.
Ismaël Bennacer – Industrious but Wasteful (Rating: 6/10)
Bennacer worked hard defensively, breaking up Lecce’s midfield. However, his passing lacked accuracy, and he wasted possession in promising positions. He must improve sharpness to complement Modric better.
Tijjani Reijnders – Flashes of Creativity (Rating: 6.5/10)
Reijnders showed glimpses of creativity but failed to influence consistently. He attempted several forward runs but lacked the decisive pass. Still, his work rate impressed, as he covered plenty of ground.
Attack
Rafael Leão – Struggled to Make Impact (Rating: 6/10)
Leão had a quiet night. He dribbled dangerously on occasions but failed to produce shots on target. Lecce doubled up on him, limiting his influence. His decision-making in the final third also looked hesitant.
Olivier Giroud – Anonymous Display (Rating: 5.5/10)
Giroud offered little presence in attack. He rarely connected with crosses and lost physical duels. Milan needed him to step up, but he remained isolated.
Samuel Chukwueze – Energetic Start, Poor Finish (Rating: 6/10)
Chukwueze pressed well and looked lively early on. However, his end product disappointed. Several promising runs ended with poor crosses or wasted chances.
Substitutes
Christian Pulisic – Game-Changing Supersub (Rating: 8/10)
Pulisic completely shifted the match. Introduced in the second half, he injected pace, directness, and creativity. His clever movement created openings, and his assist sealed Milan’s win.
The American winger continues to prove his value as a versatile attacking threat. His ability to impact games from the bench remains vital.
Noah Okafor – Bright Cameo (Rating: 6.5/10)
Okafor added fresh legs and stretched Lecce’s defense with his pace. Though he failed to score, his pressing helped Milan maintain control late.
Yacine Adli – Safe but Effective (Rating: 6/10)
Adli played simple passes and provided defensive cover. He did not influence much creatively, but his calmness helped Milan protect their lead.
Manager
Paulo Fonseca – Pragmatic Approach (Rating: 6.5/10)
Fonseca’s tactics prioritized control rather than attacking flair. He trusted Modric to dictate midfield and relied on subs for impact. His decision to bring Pulisic on proved decisive. However, questions remain about Milan’s struggling attack.
What the Result Means
This win keeps AC Milan within touching distance of Serie A’s top spots. Yet, their faltering attack remains a concern. With Modric carrying midfield and Pulisic delivering from the bench, Milan still rely heavily on individual brilliance.
To challenge for the Scudetto, Milan’s forwards must rediscover form. Leão and Giroud, in particular, must step up in crucial matches ahead.
Conclusion: Modric Shines, Attack Falters
AC Milan’s victory over Lecce highlighted both strengths and weaknesses. Luka Modric’s brilliance kept midfield under control, while Christian Pulisic changed the game as supersub. Yet, Milan’s attack faltered badly, raising concerns about consistency.
If Fonseca wants a title challenge, he must solve Milan’s attacking struggles. Until then, the Rossoneri will rely on moments of genius from Modric and Pulisic to secure results.
