Milan Beats Lecce with a Goal from Substitute Fullkrug

Published on January 19, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Photograph of the moment when Niclas Fullkrug, AC Milan forward, heads the ball to score the winning goal against Lecce at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium.

Milan Defeats Lecce with a Goal from Substitute Fullkrug

The AC Milan earned three crucial points at the Giuseppe Meazza by narrowly defeating US Lecce in a Serie A 🇮🇹 match. The key to the game came from the bench with the entry of German striker Niclas Fullkrug, who scored the only goal of the match.

A Decisive Header in a Tight Match

The goal play was one of the few clear chances in a game with scarce opportunities. Lecce organized well at the back and troubled the home team, which struggled to create danger. The substitution of Fullkrug for Luka Jovic brought fresh air to the Rossoneri attack. Shortly after coming on, the German capitalized on his first touch with the ball by powerfully heading in a precise cross from fellow substitute Alexis Saelemaekers.

Match Key Points:
  • Lecce defended orderly and conceded few spaces.
  • Milan needed second-half substitutions to break the deadlock.
  • The Saelemaekers-Fullkrug combination was lethal on their first involvement.
Sometimes it's better to wait for your moment on the bench than to force it from the start.

Impact on the Serie A Standings

With this result, Stefano Pioli's team consolidates its second place in the table and closes the gap to three points behind league leaders Inter. The victory allows Milan to extend a good run of results in the league and continue pressuring their city rivals.

Consequences for the Teams:
  • Milan remains in the direct title fight.
  • Lecce fails to earn points away and stays in mid-table.
  • The Salento team's advantage over the relegation spots remains wide.

A Goal That Changes Dynamics

The German striker demonstrated the importance of being ready to seize opportunities, even coming off the bench. His header left a defense that had been solid up to that point with no options. This goal not only secures the three points but also reinforces the depth of Pioli's squad heading into the final stretch of the season ⚽.