Milan respond after the shock: fiery treble puts the Rossoneri back on track

In the fifth round of Serie A

Milan brushed aside visitors Lecce 3-0 on Sunday evening to close the fifth round of the Italian league, returning to winning ways after back-to-back draws.

Control came early. Milan took a grip on the game from the start as Lecce toiled, struggling to build attacks and short of solutions going forward. The hosts hogged 73% of possession, and Mike Maignan barely had to work, making just one save all night.

Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, pouncing on a precise through ball from Strahinja Pavlovic to net his first goal of the season.

The pressure never let up. Milan kept their foot on Lecce's throat until the 61st minute, when Adrien Rabiot doubled the lead after a one-two with Gonzalo Ramos, handing his side a comfortable cushion before Diego Moreira put the game to bed.

Moreira struck the third in the 73rd minute with a superb effort, confirming Milan's dominance and settling matters without fuss.

Lecce mustered next to nothing at the other end. Their one moment came in the 65th minute, when Pervis Estupiñán stepped in at the right time to snuff out a chance that was close to pulling one back.

Victory kept Milan unbeaten in the Italian league this season and lifted them to 11 points and fifth place. It also restored some confidence after their 2-0 defeat to Benfica in the Europa League in midweek.