AC Milan welcome US Lecce to Serie A in the Coppa Italia second round on Tuesday night.

The Coppa Italia round of 32 brings an intriguing clash to San Siro on Tuesday night, as AC Milan host Lecce with both sides targeting progression to the last 16, and a potential showdown with Lazio.

Massimiliano Allegri’s second spell in charge of AC Milan began with a familiar sense of control. His first competitive match back in the dugout was the 2-0 Coppa Italia victory over Bari, a performance that steadied the Rossoneri after their shaky Serie A start. Allegri, who previously led Milan between 2010 and 2014, will be keen to add the Coppa Italia to his resume, having won only the league title and Supercoppa Italiana during his first tenure.

Domestically, Milan have recovered well from their opening-day defeat to Cremonese. They have since strung together three straight league victories: a 2-0 triumph against Lecce, a narrow 1-0 win over Bologna, and a convincing 3-0 dismantling of Udinese. Another win here would extend their winning streak across all competitions to four matches and further underline their dominance over Lecce, whom they have beaten in each of their last four meetings.

Despite boasting five Coppa Italia titles in their history, Milan’s last triumph in the competition came back in the 2002/03 season. With over two decades since their last success, Allegri knows this campaign offers a chance to end the drought and bolster his side’s trophy haul.

For Lecce, this fixture comes at a time of frustration. Eusebio Di Francesco returned to the club 14 years after his first stint in charge, but his second tenure has yet to spark momentum. Since defeating Juve Stabia 2-0 in the previous round, Lecce have failed to win any of their last four Serie A matches. A goalless draw with Genoa was followed by successive defeats to Milan, Atalanta, and Cagliari, leaving morale low.

The Giallorossi’s record against Milan also makes grim reading. They have not beaten the Rossoneri since 2005, a run stretching 15 encounters, including a 4-3 defeat in October 2011 when Di Francesco was on the Lecce bench. That record, coupled with their poor form, leaves them as clear underdogs heading into San Siro.

Still, the Coppa Italia offers Di Francesco and his squad an opportunity to reset. A positive result against one of Italy’s heavyweights could both lift spirits and provide a much-needed platform for improvement. Victory would also secure Lecce a place in the round of 16 for only the second time in the last four years. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

AC Milan

Massimiliano Allegri will have to contend with several important absences for this Coppa Italia tie. First-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan remains sidelined with a thigh injury that is expected to keep him out until early October, while winger Rafael Leao is also unavailable due to a calf problem with a similar recovery timeline.

In midfield, Ardon Jashari is ruled out until next month after picking up a muscle injury, depriving AC Milan of additional depth and creativity in the middle of the park. These absences remove some of the Rossoneri’s most decisive players, forcing Allegri to rely on his squad’s depth. Despite those setbacks, Allegri is expected to maintain a 3-5-2 formation at San Siro.

Pietro Terracciano will deputise in goal, shielded by a three-man defensive line of Strahinja Pavlovic on the right, Matteo Gabbia in the centre, and Fikayo Tomori on the left. The wing-back roles should be occupied by Alexis Saelemaekers on the right and Pervis Estupinan on the left, both tasked with offering width and supporting transitions.

In central midfield, Adrien Rabiot will provide balance and work rate, Youssouf Fofana will add defensive solidity, and Luka Modric will be the creative fulcrum, dictating tempo and linking play. Further forward, Christian Pulisic will operate in a more advanced free role, supporting Santiago Gimenez, who is set to lead the line for AC Milan as the main striker against US Lecce.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Terracciano; Pavlovic, Gabbia, Tomori; Saelemaekers, Rabiot, Fofana, Modric, Estupinan; Pulisic; Gimenez

US Lecce

Eusebio Di Francesco has a couple of fitness concerns to address ahead of Lecce’s trip to San Siro. Midfielder Balthazar Pierret is considered doubtful after suffering from gastrointestinal discomfort, while both Gaby Jean and Filip Marchwinski are long-term absentees due to cruciate ligament injuries, leaving them unavailable for several more months. These absences limit Di Francesco’s midfield and attacking depth, but he is still expected to field a competitive side.

Lecce are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 system against AC Milan. Wladimiro Falcone should start in goal, protected by a back four of Christ-Owen Kouassi at right-back, Tiago Gabriel and Kialonda Gaspar as the central defenders, and Antonino Gallo on the left. In midfield, Ylber Ramadani will anchor the play in a holding role, supported by Alex Sala and Lassana Coulibaly, who will provide energy and pressing alongside him.

The attacking trio should see Santiago Pierotti deployed on the right wing, Riccardo Sottil starting from the left, and summer signing Nikola Stulic operating as the central striker. Despite not yet opening his account for the club, Stulic is expected to retain his spot and lead the line for US Lecce against AC Milan.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Falcone; Kouassi, Tiago Gabriel, Gaspar, Gallo; Ramadani, Alex Sala, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Sottil, Stulic

Key Stats

• This will be only the second time AC Milan and Lecce have met in the Coppa Italia since 1990–91, when the Rossoneri won 3-0 at home before drawing 2-2 away to progress.

• AC Milan have not lifted the Coppa Italia since the 2002/03 season, despite winning the competition five times in their history. They have reached the semi-finals three times in the past decade but have consistently fallen short of the final hurdle.

• Lecce have not beaten AC Milan since 2005, a run spanning 15 competitive meetings. In that period, the Rossoneri have recorded 11 wins and four draws, including a 2-0 league victory earlier this season.

• The Giallorossi have never beaten Milan at San Siro in any competition. Their best result came in October 2011 under Eusebio Di Francesco, when they led 3-0 at home before losing 4-3, highlighting their long-standing struggles against the Rossoneri.

• Milan come into this tie on the back of three consecutive Serie A wins, scoring six goals and conceding just one, while Lecce are winless in their last four league matches, losing three and scoring only once during that stretch.

Player to Watch

Christian Pulisic

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Christian Pulisic has quickly become one of AC Milan’s most influential attacking players since returning to Serie A, offering dynamism and versatility in the final third. The American international has been trusted by Massimiliano Allegri in a free role behind the striker, where his movement, technical ability, and sharp decision-making allow him to exploit pockets of space between opposition lines.

Pulisic’s ability to drift wide and cut inside onto his stronger foot makes him a constant threat, while his pace in transition is a valuable asset against teams like Lecce who often sit deep but leave openings on the counter. His knack for arriving in dangerous positions, combined with a willingness to press aggressively off the ball, adds another dimension to Milan’s attacking structure.

With Rafael Leao sidelined through injury, much of the creative and goalscoring responsibility will fall on Pulisic. If the Rossoneri are to continue their strong form and maintain control of this Coppa Italia tie, the American’s vision and execution in the final third could prove decisive.

Prediction

AC Milan 2-0 US Lecce

AC Milan enter this Coppa Italia tie against US Lecce as heavy favourites. Massimiliano Allegri’s side are building momentum with three straight league wins and have looked far more balanced since recovering from their opening-day defeat.

Even without Mike Maignan, Rafael Leao, and Ardon Jashari, the Rossoneri have the depth and quality to control proceedings at San Siro. Christian Pulisic’s creativity and Santiago Gimenez’s presence up front should ensure Milan carry plenty of attacking threat against a vulnerable Lecce defence.

For Eusebio Di Francesco’s men, the trip to Milan comes at a difficult moment. Winless in four league outings, short on confidence, and with key injuries limiting their options, Lecce will need a near-perfect performance to trouble the Rossoneri. Their dismal record at San Siro and long winless streak against Milan make the task even more daunting.

While Lecce may stay compact and look to frustrate AC Milan early on, the hosts’ technical superiority, home advantage, and cutting edge in the final third are likely to prove decisive. Allegri’s men should comfortably advance to the round of 16.