Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic see AC Milan ‘improvement’ in 2-0 win over Lecce

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Ruben Loftus-Cheek praised the Milan ‘mentality to keep pushing’ in their 2-0 victory over Lecce, while Christian Pulisic welcomes Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea.

The Rossoneri thought it maybe wasn’t their night after seeing two goals disallowed for Matteo Gabbia and Santiago Gimenez, but eventually broke through at the Stadio Via del Mare with Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s header on a Luka Modric set play.

Christian Pulisic was struggling with an ankle issue, but he came off the bench in the final stages and completed the 2-0 scoreline.

“I am very happy, this is a different year,” Loftus-Cheek told Sky Sport Italia in Italian.

“It was a really tough match, but we had the perfect mentality to keep pushing after two disallowed goals. I’m really happy for the three points, we will work hard and then be ready after the break for international duty.”

Max Allegri said that he expects many more goals from the midfielders like Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana this term.

“We will try to score goals this season, at least this was the first! I am happy with the goal, but above all happy with the win, as it was very important for us. My Italian isn’t the best, but I’m trying.

“I am glad the coach sees a lot in me. I want to do well this season with the team, that is much more important than me.”

Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek happy with Milan changes

It was a much-needed boost for Milan, who had started their season with a shock 2-1 home defeat to newly-promoted Cremonese.

Pulisic was not fit enough to start the match due to an ankle issue that has been troubling him throughout the summer, but he came off the bench and scored the second goal.

“I had a problem with my ankle, but I’m alright now,” the American told Sky Sport Italia.

“We didn’t play that badly against Cremonese either, they were small details. We did better tonight, could’ve scored four or five goals, it was a definite improvement.”

Milan signed Nkunku today from Pulisic’s former club Chelsea, at a cost of €37m plus €5m in difficult to achieve add-ons.

“He has a lot of quality, he will come here to help the team.”