📢 Can AC Milan bounce back from their shocking opening round defeat, or will Lecce continue to collect points early in the season? In their first match, Lecce managed to secure a draw in Genoa (0-0) against Genoa. For a team many had pegged as relegation contenders, this is an encouraging start. Milan, on the other hand, stumbled unexpectedly: the Rossoneri fell at home to newly-promoted Cremonese (1-2). This opening has been a wake-up call for fans and immediately raised questions about the team's readiness for the season. Massimiliano Allegri's side now must respond and prove that the first-round setback was just a fluke. The clash will take place at the Stadio Via del Mare.

Head-to-Head

📊 Over the past decade, Lecce and Milan have faced off in eight official matches. The balance of power clearly favors the Rossoneri, who have claimed victory in five encounters, drawn three times, and never suffered a defeat. Last season was particularly telling, with Milan securing maximum points in both games: at home, they dominated with a 3-0 win, controlling the match entirely, while away, they showed resilience by coming back from 0-2 down to snatch a 3-2 victory.

Lecce Team Overview

🟡 In the opening round of Serie A, Lecce traveled to face Genoa and were considered clear underdogs. However, they managed to secure a point with a goalless draw (0-0). In terms of the match's dynamics, Lecce didn't look inferior to their opponents: the stats reflect an evenly matched game, with both teams creating only one truly dangerous attack each, and their xG figures were nearly identical.

❓ Nonetheless, there are reasons for concern. Over the course of 90 minutes, Lecce failed to register a single shot on target, highlighting issues in their attack. This is especially pronounced following the departure of their main forward Nikola Krstovic, who transferred to Atalanta earlier last week. In his absence, 17-year-old Francesco Camarda led the line from the start. Although the young striker has great potential, expecting him to immediately fill the shoes of a leader might be premature.

Milan Team Overview

🔴 Ahead of the championship, many experts and fans of the club anticipated that the "Rossoneri" would contend for top honors, possibly even the title. Over the summer, a new coaching staff arrived, and the club made significant investments in new signings on the transfer market. However, reality hit hard: Milan suffered a shocking defeat at home to Cremonese (1-2) in the opening round. Despite an aggressive attacking display with 24 shots and an xG of 2.08, the final score did not favor them. This result served as a wake-up call, highlighting that the revamped squad still lacks cohesion.

🔁 Despite numerous signings, Milan recognize that their attacking efficiency remains lacking. This has sparked rumors of a potential blockbuster move: Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic could be on his way from Turin to Milan. Moreover, discussions include a possible swap deal, with Alexis Saelemaekers potentially involved in negotiations. Such a transfer, if it materializes, could dramatically enhance the team's attacking prowess.

Latest news

Lecce

📣 After a goalless draw against Genoa, head coach Eusebio Di Francesco expressed satisfaction with his team's organization, especially at the start of the match: "In the first twenty minutes, the team played very well. We pressed Genoa actively, apart from perhaps one truly dangerous moment towards the end of the first half when Carboni had a chance. Coming here and allowing the opponent to create just one opportunity is already an achievement. Overall, I saw the team working effectively between the lines; the interplay between the midfielders and wings looked convincing. I'm pleased to have seen a true team effort." The coach also acknowledged that the team needs to work on their finishing: "We need to improve our conversion rate. As for transfers, we know what we're missing."

🚫 Lecce are facing significant losses in defense and midfield. Filip Marchwinski is sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear and is expected to return to the field only by mid-October. A similar situation applies to Gabi Jean, who is also recovering from a serious injury and is anticipated to be back in the squad no earlier than the beginning of October. 

Milan

📣 Following the unexpected 2-1 defeat to Cremonese, Massimiliano Allegri emphasized the team's attacking efforts and the mistakes made: "In terms of the game itself, we had numerous shots on goal. The difference lies in aggressive attacking and reliable defense; we could have been more attentive here. Fortunately, it's just the beginning, and we have time to fix things." The coach also stressed that it's too early to draw conclusions about the team: "Right now, it doesn't make sense to evaluate the team. We've worked well so far and will continue in the same manner. Serie A is always tough – even Cremonese managed a win. We made two mistakes that led to the loss. We need to be more aggressive without the ball."

🚫 For AC Milan, the main issue remains Rafael Leão's injury. The Portuguese forward is recovering from a calf injury and is expected to return in early September, but his absence has already been felt: in the match against Cremonese, the team lacked his pace and creative play on the attacking flank. 

⚽️ Goal Prediction

⚽️ Goal Prediction

Lecce play a defensive, closed style of football, which is reflected in their scoring outcomes. For instance, the under 2.5 goals bet has come through in their last six Serie A matches. This trend began at the end of last season and has carried into the new one, as evidenced by their goalless draw (0-0) against Genoa in the opening round. This approach can be attributed to their limited attacking options; Lecce prefer to play cautiously at the back and minimize risks. Against a stronger opponent like Milan, they will likely focus even more on defense, increasing the chances of a low-scoring encounter.

🚩 Corner Prediction

In the upcoming match, Milan are expected to take the initiative and push forward aggressively, which will directly impact the corner statistics. In their first-round clash with Cremonese, the Rossoneri earned 9 corners, consistently applying pressure on the opponent's goal. Additionally, in their last head-to-head with Lecce (3-2), Milan secured 7 corners. Given the difference in class and Milan's attacking style, a bet on Milan's total corners over 4.5 seems reasonable.