MILAN: A profligate AC Milan claimed a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Lecce on Sunday, with Niclas Fullkrug heading a late winner to ensure they keep pace in the Serie A title race.
Milan are second in the table with 46 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan at the top.
Milan struggled to break through in the first half, probing patiently without reward, and saw an early effort from Rafael Leao ruled out for offside.
Milan’s pressure continued after the break, but Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone held firm, making a series of exceptional saves, including a save on Christian Pulisic that left the American striker stunned.
The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute, when Alexis Saelemaekers collected a tricky ball from the touchline which was met by Fullkrug, who made no mistake with a close range header for his first goal for the club.
“I got an amazing pass for Ale and yes, it’s a striker’s dream to get a pass like that,” Fullkrug told DAZN.
“I’m very grateful and very grateful to be here to wear the jersey, to get the confidence that you also need as a striker… It’s a very good group, a great atmosphere, and that’s why I’m 100 percent happy.”
Fullkrug broke his toe shortly after moving to northern Italy and local media are widely reporting that thieves stole half a million euros worth of watches and jewelry from his hotel room while he was away for Milan’s midweek win at Como.
When asked by DAZN if his goal made up for his recent misfortune, Fullkrug smiled and replied: “Yeah, that’s enough.”
Milan’s next opponents, AS Roma, won comfortably 2-0 in Turin thanks to a star performance from Paulo Dybala, who brought on new arrival Donyell Malen for a stylish finish from close range midway through the first half before securing a third straight victory in the 72nd minute.
The Argentina international’s brilliantly guided finish from Devyne Rensch’s cross was his first goal in almost three months and helped put fourth-placed Roma on 42 points, four behind Milan.
Dybala has endured a difficult first campaign under Gian Piero Gasperini, with familiar injury problems and the rise of compatriot Matias Soule suggesting his time may be up in the Italian capital.
But the 32-year-old was excellent in a victory that was revenge for their Italian Cup elimination by Turin on Tuesday night, and put Roma three points clear of fifth-placed Juventus in the battle for the Champions League.
“Dybala had a very good performance today, our first goal was fantastic. You can see that he and Malen understand each other on the pitch,” Gasperini said.
Published in Dawn, January 20, 2026
