Super-Sub Fullkrug Breaks Resistance as Milan Keep Pace in Title Race

The deadlock was finally broken in the 76th minute by winter signing Niclas Fullkrug, who made an immediate impact just three minutes after being introduced as a substitute. The German striker connected with a precision cross from Alexis Saelemaekers to head home his first goal for the club, rewarding Milan's relentless pressure. While Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone produced a heroic display with several world-class saves to keep the visitors in the game, the home side's persistence eventually paid off, extending their unbeaten league run to 20 matches.

Frustration Mounts During First-Half Dominance

The match began with Milan establishing an early stranglehold on the game, utilizing a midfield anchored by Samuele Ricci and Adrien Rabiot to dictate the tempo. Rafael Leao thought he had provided the breakthrough in the ninth minute when he neatly chipped the ball over Wladimiro Falcone, but the celebrations were cut short by a swift offside flag. This early scare did not deter the hosts, who continued to probe the Lecce defense with incisive passing and wide play from Alexis Saelemaekers.

Despite the territorial advantage, Milan struggled to convert their dominance into high-quality scoring opportunities during the opening 45 minutes. Matteo Gabbia missed a clear headed chance from a corner, and Saelemaekers saw a curling effort whistle just wide of the far post. As the halftime whistle blew, a sense of familiarity began to settle over the San Siro, with the fans acknowledging their team's control but growing anxious over the lack of a clinical finishing touch.

Falcone’s Heroics Deny the Rossoneri

The second half saw Milan increase their intensity, launching a siege on the Lecce goal that forced Wladimiro Falcone into a series of remarkable interventions. The shot-stopper was at his best to deny Christian Pulisic from point-blank range, a save that left the American forward visibly stunned. Falcone followed this up with a fantastic fingertip save to turn a low drive from Samuele Ricci around the base of the near post, single-handedly keeping the scores level.

Lecce, while offering very little in terms of offensive threat, remained perfectly organized under the pressure. Their defensive shape prevented Milan from finding space in the "Zone 14" area, forcing the hosts to rely on crosses and long-range efforts. Every time a Milan attacker broke through the initial line of defense, they found Falcone in their path, further heightening the tension as the match entered its final twenty minutes without a goal.

Fullkrug’s Instant Impact Silences the Skeptics

With the game appearing to head toward a scoreless draw, Massimiliano Allegri made a decisive tactical move by introducing Niclas Fullkrug in place of Christian Pulisic. The German international, who arrived from West Ham in the January window, had been waiting for his breakthrough moment in the iconic red and black jersey. His physical presence immediately provided Milan with a different focal point in the box, stretching the Lecce center-backs in ways they hadn't experienced earlier in the match.

Just three minutes after his introduction, the moment arrived. Matteo Gabbia played a long, diagonal ball that found Saelemaekers on the right wing; the Belgian volleyed a first-time cross into the heart of the six-yard box. Fullkrug displayed his predatory instincts by rising above his marker and directing a powerful, glancing header into the bottom corner. The stadium erupted as the striker celebrated his first Serie A goal, a strike that carried immense weight for both the player and his team’s title ambitions.

Historical Milestones for German Strikers

Niclas Fullkrug's decisive header earned him a place in the AC Milan history books, as he became only the third German player to score for the club in Serie A. He follows in the footsteps of legendary forward Oliver Bierhoff, who netted 36 league goals for the Rossoneri, and Christian Ziege. For Fullkrug, the goal marked his first strike in one of Europe’s top five leagues since April 2024, providing a massive boost to his confidence as he integrates into Allegri’s system.

Beyond the individual achievement, the result highlights Milan’s historical consistency this season. This victory marks the first time since the 1992-93 season, under the legendary Fabio Capello, that the club has gone unbeaten for 20 consecutive matches in a single Serie A campaign. The defensive solidity shown by Gabbia and his colleagues has been the foundation of this run, as they once again limited their opponents to zero shots on target throughout the entire ninety minutes.

A Crucial Victory in the Scudetto Race

The significance of this result cannot be overstated, as any dropped points at home would have allowed Inter Milan to pull further away in the championship race. By securing the win, Milan keeps the gap at just three points, ensuring that the upcoming weeks will remain a high-stakes battle for the title. The performance also validated Allegri’s tactical flexibility, proving that his "super-sub" strategy can be the difference-maker against teams that employ a low defensive block.

For Lecce, the defeat is a cruel conclusion to a brave defensive effort, but it leaves them dangerously close to the relegation zone. For the Rossoneri, the focus now shifts to maintaining this momentum as the season enters its most demanding phase. With Fullkrug now off the mark and the defense performing at a record-breaking level, Milan looks prepared to push their cross-city rivals all the way to the final day of the season.