Lecce are down to 10 men, a comfortable third for Milan. Allegri advances to the round of 16, where they'll face Lazio.

An evening like this, before embarking on the rollercoaster ride against Napoli and Juventus, is good for the spirit and the soul. AC Milan isn't just advancing to the Coppa Italia round of 16—they'll face Lazio at the Olimpico in December—but they're storming into it with the confidence of an increasingly evident strength and mentality. A healthy team, now offering those who watch them the distinct feeling of even starting to enjoy themselves. Lecce, who barely took off for Milan and were down to ten men after less than twenty minutes, were certainly the perfect sparring partner to boost the Rossoneri's self-confidence, but at Milanello, a complete overhaul is truly underway. In their play, their focus, their attitude. It ended 3-0, with plenty of good news: Gimenez broke the deadlock, Nkunku scored his first AC Milan goal with an acrobatic finish, and Pulisic confirming himself as an ever-evolving striker. But the goals could have been double, or even more: it's not the first time it's happened, and Allegri (in the stands again this time) would be better off working on the chance-to-goal ratio. Otherwise, it's a fourth win and fourth clean sheet in a row, the fifth in six matches this season. The fort is very well protected.

Allegri didn't completely overhaul the team, but it was more than just a facelift: five outfield players were changed compared to Udine and, presumably, compared to Napoli. Nkunku made his first start up front, Ricci made his midfield debut in Modric's prime territory, and Loftus-Cheek was chosen over Fofana. Bartesaghi and De Winter (also making his first start) took over the center of defense in Gabbia's place on the left. Maignan, who seemed to be leaning more conservatively, impressed everyone in his morning test. Di Francesco entrusted Camarda with the attack, with N'Dri and Morente on the flanks. In goal, Falcone's assistant, Fruchtl.

Lecce found themselves down to ten men after just eighteen minutes, but it would be wrong to call it a decisive moment. It was a one-sided game from the start: the numerical inferiority only increased the Giallorossi's climb to the point of making it virtually impossible. To put it more clearly: in the first nine minutes, Milan created four clear scoring opportunities: Gimenez (a poor stop and shot on the outrushing Fruchtl), Loftus-Cheek (a clear on the line by Siebert), Rabiot (a great save from the Giallorossi goalkeeper, but the Frenchman could certainly have done better), and Nkunku (a shot that hit the post from a tight angle, but far from impossible). Plus a couple more chances from Gimenez that didn't pan out. In short, it was only one team on the pitch, even with eleven against eleven, thanks to the constant pressure from the Rossoneri midfield that quickly obliterated DiFra's midfield. The pressure wasn't limited to the heart of the pitch, but extended into the final thirty meters, effectively nipping in the bud any attempt by Lecce to counterattack. Camarda, up front, stood there dejectedly watching, without any supplies.

Just like against Bologna and Udinese, the Devil's (new) particularly valuable quality was their ability to create danger in a variety of ways. Attacking down the wings – Saelemaekers and Bartesaghi were lucid and incisive with their crosses – and also breaking through the middle. This is why the chances passed through the feet of Gimenez, as well as those of Rabiot, Loftus-Cheek, and Nkunku. The Frenchman's interesting movements combined with a precise foot and an intelligent search for space. It was precisely with one of these flashes that Lecce were reduced to ten men: Nkunku broke free of Siebert, who brought him down on the edge of the area. Tremolada first showed a yellow card and then, after checking on the monitor, sent him to the showers. Milan took the lead two minutes later (20'): Bartesaghi's low cross from the left was met by Gimenez in the six-yard box. There it was, the liberating goal, awaited since the beginning of the season. No signs of Lecce? None, and so Milan continued to spread the flames: Rabiot, proving to be a master of attack, hit the crossbar, Loftus's right-footer went just a few centimeters wide, a magnificent free kick from Pavlovic (yes, Pavlovic) with Fruchtl performing a near-miracle. The second half began without any changes to the scoreboard. A continuous Rossoneri monologue that resulted in Loftus hitting the post and a slip-up from Nkunku, who then polished his foot a few minutes later (51'): Saelemaekers's cross to the far post and Christopher's scissor kick to the far post. Meazza stood up and the Frenchman blew the first (red) balloon. The Rossoneri fans were very pleased. There was still room for Pulisic's third (and then another one hitting the post): on a night like this, the striker's signature couldn't be missed.