AC Milan secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Lecce in Serie A on Friday, with Álvaro Morata, Theo Hernandez, and Christian Pulisic all finding the net in a stunning five-minute burst just before halftime.
With this win, Milan provisionally climbed to second in the league standings, amassing 11 points, and drawing level with leaders Torino, who will host Lazio on Sunday. The Rossoneri now turn their attention to the Champions League, where they face Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
The first half was largely uneventful until Morata ignited the crowd with a powerful header in the 38th minute. He connected with a free kick from Hernandez, crashing the ball in off the inside of the crossbar for his second goal of the season, after also scoring in Milan’s season opener against Torino.
Just three minutes later, Hernandez doubled the lead with a brilliant strike into the roof of the net, capitalizing on a precise low cross from Rafael Leão. With this goal, Hernandez equaled club legend Paolo Maldini’s record of 29 goals, making him the highest-scoring defender in Milan’s Serie A history.
Pulisic added a third goal just two minutes before the break, pouncing on a rebound to slot the ball into the middle of the net after Tammy Abraham had struck the post moments earlier.
Although Milan outmatched Lecce on the scoreboard, Lecce showed resilience throughout the match, attempting 16 shots compared to Milan’s 15. The visitors threatened on the counter-attack but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. In the second half, Ruben Loftus-Cheek came close to adding to Milan’s tally but saw his effort hit the crossbar.
Milan’s match took a turn when substitute Davide Bartesaghi was sent off in the 80th minute after a tackle on Lecce winger Lameck Banda, leaving the home side with ten men.
This victory marks Milan’s second consecutive home match in which they have scored three or more goals in the first half, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2009. The Rossoneri, who previously triumphed 4-0 over Venezia in their last home outing, are in good form heading into the next match.
Lecce, who last defeated Milan at San Siro in Serie A back in October 1997, remain just above the relegation zone with five points. They will look to improve their standings in their upcoming match against fourth-placed Udinese on October 5.
Milan, coming off a hard-fought 2-1 derby win over Inter Milan last weekend, will visit Fiorentina in Serie A on October 6, aiming to maintain their momentum.
