Luka Modrić Delivers First Assist as AC Milan Bounce Back with Win Over Lecce

AC Milan claimed their first victory of the Serie A season with a 2-0 away win over Lecce, thanks to second-half goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic — and an early moment of magic from new signing Luka Modrić.

Milan thought they had opened the scoring inside four minutes when Matteo Gabbia found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR check for a foul in the build-up. The start of the second half brought more frustration as Daniel Jiménez had his goal disallowed for offside.

The breakthrough finally came in the 66th minute. Luka Modrić, making just his second appearance for the Rossoneri after his summer move, delivered a trademark pinpoint cross which was headed home by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, moments before the midfielder was substituted.

In the dying minutes, substitute Christian Pulisic sealed the result with a well-taken finish, ensuring Milan picked up all three points after their opening day defeat to Cremonese.

2025-26, Italy - Serie A

Lecce - AC Milan 0:2 (0:0)
Goals: Loftus-Cheek, 66 (0:1); Pulisic, 86 (0:2)

Lecce: Falcone; Gaspar; Veiga; Oliveira Tiago; Ramadani (Helgason, 81); Gallo A.; Kaba M. (Berisha M., 63); Tete Morente (N'Dri, 81); Camarda (Štulić, 46); Coulibaly L.; Pierotti (Sottil, 63)
Substitution: Štulić (from 46); Berisha M. (from 63); Sottil (from 63); Helgason (from 81); N'Dri (from 81)
Bench: Früchtl; Samooja; Ndaba; Siebert; Perez Mat.; Kouassi C-O; Sala Alex; Banda L.; Maleh
Yellow Cards: Gaspar 64

AC Milan: Maignan; Estupiñán; Tomori; Pavlović S.; Fofana Y.; Loftus-Cheek (Ricci S., 77); Modric; Gabbia; Saelemaekers (Pulisic, 76); Musah Y.; Gimenez S.
Substitution: Pulisic (from 76); Ricci S. (from 77)
Bench: Terracciano; De Winter K.; Athekame; Bartesaghi; Chukwueze