On Friday, September 27, 2024, AC Milan will host US Lecce at the San Siro Stadium in a highly anticipated Matchday 6 clash of the 2024/2025 Serie A season. Here’s a comprehensive look at the key details, team dynamics, and predictions for this crucial match.
Recent Form and Momentum
AC Milan is coming off a significant victory, having defeated their city rivals Inter Milan 2-1 in the Derby della Madonnina, thanks to a late header from Matteo Gabbia in the 89th minute. This win has provided much-needed momentum to Milan’s Serie A campaign after a mixed start to the season.
In contrast, Lecce has had a challenging start, managing only one win in their five Italian league matches and sitting 17th in the standings. Despite their struggles, Lecce has shown signs of improvement in recent outings and will be looking to upset a confident Milan team.
Key Battles and Player Matchups
Several key battles are expected to shape the outcome of this match. On Milan’s left flank, Rafael Leao will face off against Lecce’s promising young defender, Patrick Dorgu. Leao has a strong record against Lecce, having scored five goals in six matches, including a brace in April 2023. Dorgu, regarded as one of the best prospects in Serie A, will be a crucial figure in Lecce’s defense.
At the other end, Lecce’s main threat will come from Nikola Krstovic, who has been directly involved in five of Lecce’s last six goals in Serie A. Krstovic will likely play as the right striker and will be marked closely by Milan’s defense, particularly Fikayo Tomori and Matteo Gabbia.
Tammy Abraham, who had a positive start to his Milan career, will lead the line for Milan, facing off against Lecce’s solid center-back, Federico Baschirotto. This physical battle could be pivotal, as Abraham will aim to use his size, speed, and movement to cause problems for the Lecce defense.
Christian Pulisic, Milan’s most reliably productive player, will look to torment Lecce’s left-back, Antonin Gallo. Pulisic has been directly involved in 31 goals in all competitions since the start of last season, making him a key player to watch.
Team Statistics and Predictions
Statistically, AC Milan has the upper hand. They have scored 11 goals in their first five matches, ranking them among the top scorers in Serie A, while Lecce has managed only three goals, placing them 18th in this category.
Despite Lecce’s struggles, they have shown resilience and the ability to create scoring opportunities. However, their finishing has been a weak point, which could be a decisive factor in this match. Predictions suggest that Milan is likely to win, with odds favoring the home team significantly (-303 for Milan, +708 for Lecce, and +428 for a draw).
How to Watch
For fans looking to catch the action live, the match will kick off at 8:45 PM local time in Italy. In the United States, the game will be available exclusively on Paramount+, with no live TV broadcast option.
Here are the kickoff times in various countries:
- **Argentina**: 3:45 PM
- **Australia**: 4:45 AM (September 28)
- **Canada**: 2:45 PM
- **France**: 8:45 PM
- **Germany**: 8:45 PM
- **India**: 12:15 AM (September 28)
- **Italy**: 8:45 PM
- **UK**: 7:45 PM
- **USA**: 2:45 PM (ET).
Injury and Suspension Updates
Both teams will be dealing with some key absences. For Milan, five players, including Davide Calabria and Ismael Bennacer, will be unavailable due to injuries. Lecce, meanwhile, will be without four players due to injuries and will also miss defender Frederic Guilbert, who is suspended.
Conclusion
The match between AC Milan and US Lecce promises to be an intriguing encounter, with Milan seeking to build on their recent derby win and Lecce aiming to pull off an upset. Given the statistical and form-based advantages of Milan, it is likely that the home team will emerge victorious. However, Lecce’s ability to create chances and their recent improvements make them a formidable opponent that should not be underestimated. As the teams take to the San Siro, fans can expect a competitive and engaging match that could go either way.
