Sabasports Match Preview
Serie A: Lecce vs AC Milan
Kickoff Time: 2025-08-30 02:45 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
This year marks Lecce’s fourth season in Serie A. Last season, the team narrowly avoided relegation by finishing 17th. During the summer transfer window, Lecce began selling key players: center forward Nikola Krstovic (11 goals, five assists last season), ever-present center-back Federico Baschirotto, and winger Ante Rebic (a former AC Milan player) have all left. As a result, the team faces a rebuild in both attack and defense. New signings include center-back Jamil Siebert from Bundesliga 2’s Dusseldorf, forward Riccardo Sottil (on loan from Fiorentina, where he struggled for playing time), and 17-year-old AC Milan center-forward Francesco Camarda (on loan for this match). Compared to last season, Lecce’s strength has diminished. In the opening round, they were held to a draw by Genoa, who made almost no signings this summer. During the match, Lecce managed only 42% possession and recorded seven shots with zero on target. This indicates inadequate preseason preparation and an attack that is not yet in top form.
Last season, AC Milan finished eighth, their worst Serie A result in eight years. Missing out on European competition prompted the club’s management to initiate a rebuild. They reappointed legendary manager Massimiliano Allegri and invested €106 million in transfers, ranking third in the league for spending. Allegri identified defensive issues as the main reason for the team’s decline and has focused on reinforcing the defense. New signings include defensive midfielder Ardon Jashari from Club Brugge, Torino’s key midfielder Samuele Ricci, Genoa’s main defender Koni De Winter, Brighton’s starting full-back Pervis Estupinan, and former Real Madrid captain Luka Modric on a free transfer. Additionally, the club has reached an agreement with Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic on personal terms, with the Serbian striker set to join before the transfer window closes. In the first round, AC Milan suffered a shocking home defeat to newly promoted Cremonese, as players struggled to adapt to Allegri’s new tactics. The team is under significant pressure and urgently needs a victory to boost morale.
In terms of squad value, AC Milan’s first team is worth €481 million, ranking third in the league, while Lecce’s is valued at just €77.03 million, placing them third from bottom. The gap in quality is substantial. Last season, AC Milan defeated Lecce away with a dominant 71% possession. Facing a weakened Lecce side, the reinforced AC Milan will undoubtedly seize the opportunity to secure all three points.
Lecce‘s Last 5 Games: DWWWD
25-08-24 Genoa 0-0 Lecce
25-08-16 Lecce 2-0 Juve Stabia
25-05-26 Lazio 0-1 Lecce
25-05-19 Lecce 1-0 Torino
25-05-11 Verona 1-1 Lecce
AC Milan‘s Last 5 Games: LWLDW
25-08-24 AC Milan 1-2 Cremonese
25-08-18 AC Milan 2-0 Bari
25-08-10 Chelsea 4-1 AC Milan
25-08-09 Leeds United 1-1 AC Milan
25-07-31 Perth Glory 0-9 AC Milan
Head-To-Head Record
25-03-09 Lecce 2-3 AC Milan
24-09-28 AC Milan 3-0 Lecce
24-04-06 AC Milan 3-0 Lecce
23-11-11 Lecce 2-2 AC Milan
23-04-23 AC Milan 2-0 Lecce
Prediction: AC Milan to win