Milan head into the international break with renewed confidence after their most complete performance of the season, a 3-0 victory over Lecce at San Siro that moved them to fifth in Serie A with 11 points from five games. The result was significant not just for the scoreline but for what it suggested about Ruben Amorim's evolving grip on the squad. The Portuguese coach made tactical adjustments that gave his players more positional freedom, and the difference was clear. Christian Pulisic scored his first Milan goal since December 2025, Adrien Rabiot was influential throughout, and substitute Diego Moreira scored within four minutes of coming on. Amorim acknowledged after the game that an overly rigid structure had been holding the team back in earlier rounds.

The positive mood at Milanello has been tempered by a concern in the days since. Alexis Saelemaekers picked up a physical problem during training and is now a doubt for the resumption of league action. His availability for the trip to Sassuolo on October 11 remains uncertain, adding a selection headache to a squad that is already managing the absence of Fikayo Tomori, who has been reintegrated but has yet to feature under Amorim. Off the pitch, Pulisic's contract situation continues to attract attention, with his deal expiring in June 2027 and no renewal talks yet opened, despite the club's reported intention to keep him.