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Serie A | Milan 1-0 Lecce: Fullkrug’s first goal guarantees success
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- Serie A | Milan 1-0 Lecce: Fullkrug’s first goal guarantees success
Serie A | Milan 1-0 Lecce: Fullkrug's first goal guarantees success
Niclas Fullkrug came off the bench and met the Alexis Saelemaekers cross for his first Milan goal, which finally broke down Lecce 's defences for a precious victory.
The Rossoneri consolidated second place with a midweek rescheduled Week 16 trip to Como, where they won 3-1 thanks to the Adrien Rabiot brace against the run of play. Santiago Gimenez was the only absentee, as Christian Pulisic returned to the starting XI , but Luka Modric and Youssouf Fofana were rested. Lecce had one point from five rounds, though that was a surprising 1-1 draw away to Juventus and they lost 1-0 at San Siro to Inter on Wednesday. Francesco Camarda 's shoulder injury prevented him facing his parent club, with Medon Berisha also out, Kialonda Gaspar and Danilo Veiga suspended. Lameck Banda and Ylber Ramadani returned from bans.
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See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Pervis Estupinan of AC Milan controls the ball during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Alexis Saelemaekers curled wide from the edge of the area, while Rafael Leao had the ball in the net only after wandering offside on a Saelemaekers pass.
Tiago Gabriel made a decisive interception to prevent Pulisic tapping in the Saelemaekers roll across, then the pair did successfully combine for the American's angled drive parried by Wladimiro Falcone 's legs at the near post.
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Antonino Gallo threw himself in the way of a Saelemaekers effort inside the area after the restart, with Matteo Gabbia 's free header over form the resulting corner.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Rafael Leao of AC Milan shoots as Wladimiro Falcone of US Lecce attempts to make a save during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Pervis Estupinan also blasted over from distance, but Falcone got down for a fantastic reaction save to fingertip the Samuele Ricci daisy-cutter round the base of the near post.
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Falcone was even more impressive moments later, denying Pulisic who was sent clear on goal by a perfectly-weighted Leao first-time pass.
Rabiot ballooned over from nine yards on the Estupinan roll across, then Ruben Loftus-Cheek was surprised by the Rabiot knock-back and couldn't steer it in from close range.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan shoots whilst under pressure from Antonino Gallo of US Lecce during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The siege eventually paid off, as Gabbia's long ball sent Saelemaekers down the right and his cross found the glancing Fullkrug header from five yards. It was the former West Ham United striker's first goal in the Milan jersey after his January transfer, and he had only been on the pitch for three minutes.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Niclas Fullkrug of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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Saelemaekers went off with a muscular issue soon after, while Christopher Nkunku was too slow to make the most of the inspired Luka Modric pass.
Falcone made another big save in stoppages, denying Nkunku from point-blank range on a Rabiot roll across.
Milan 1-0 Lecce
Fullkrug 76 (M)
