AC Milan secured their first Serie A victory of the season by defeating Lecce 2-0 away from home. This win was particularly significant as manager Massimiliano Allegri faced a squad with limited options due to various absences. The following provides a detailed review of individual player performances from an encouraging evening in Apulia.
Lecce 0-2 Milan: Player Ratings
Standout Performer: Alexis Saelemaekers (7)
Alexis Saelemaekers delivered a remarkably astute tactical performance, adapting seamlessly to his role as a second striker in the absence of Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao. He frequently tracked back to support Pervis Estupinan with defensive duties and was instrumental in creating the opening goal, providing the free-kick from which Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored. This was a particularly impressive display, showcasing his versatility while playing out of his natural position.
Underperformer: Gimenez (5)
Gimenez had a night to forget, missing a crucial chance towards the end of the first half. Although he found the back of the net in the second half, his goal was subsequently disallowed. With only one shot on target from three attempts throughout the 90 minutes, his contribution was far from memorable. If, as some Italian sources suggest, this match marks his final appearance in a Rossonero shirt, it was an unfortunate farewell.
Manager`s Performance: Massimiliano Allegri (7)
Following the disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Cremonese in the previous match, it was paramount for Milan to not only perform well but also secure a victory against Lecce. This task was complicated by the significant absences of key players, including Christian Pulisic (from the starting lineup), Rafael Leao, Ardon Jashari, and Alex Jimenez, representing a collective talent pool estimated at over €150m. Despite these challenges, the Rossoneri managed to score four goals, with two ultimately being ruled legal. Allegri`s tactical approach and team management under pressure earned him a strong rating.