Landucci: ‘Milan could have done better, have to make sure Allegri is careful’ | OneFootball

Marco Landucci, filling in for the suspended Massimiliano Allegri for Milan’s 3-0 victory over Lecce in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday evening, says that his side could have done even better in the opening 45 minutes, and joked that he will have to ‘make sure’ his boss is more careful, so that he doesn’t pick up any more suspensions in the near future.

Goals from Santiago Gimenez, Christopher Nkunku and Christian Pulisic handed Milan a 3-0 win over Lecce in the second round of the Coppa Italia in San Siro on Tuesday night. Their work was made easier after the 18th-minute red card shown to Siebert.

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Landucci: Milan ‘could have done better in the first half’

UDINE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Marco Landucci, assistant Head Coach of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Friuli on September 20, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Landucci expressed his delight for Gimenez, who scored his first competitive goal of the season against Lecce on Tuesday night.

“A striker has to score goals, but Gimenez’s performances have always been decent. We’re happy that he scored because that’s always a positive for a striker,” Landucci told Italia 1 after full-time.

Still, Allegri’s assistant feels that Milan could have done even better, particularly during the first 45 minutes.

“We started a bit slowly, then they were reduced to 10. We could have done better in the first half, but we did well in the second. Lecce were clearly at a disadvantage due to their numerical inferiority. We wanted to go through, we are happy.”

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan inflates a balloon as he celebrates with teammates after scoring to give the side a 2-0 lead during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Landucci was asked if Milan’s objectives for the season have changed at all after their decent start to the 2025-26 campaign.

He replied: “Having goals is important, but we have to take things one game at a time. I’m happy with the team’s attitude, it’s a group that works hard and pays attention to everything. We’ve got a good atmosphere, but we have to keep focused and keep improving. That has to be our goal.”

And on the upcoming test against Napoli in Serie A this weekend, Landucci said: “It will be a great challenge, they’re a really strong team. They’ve strengthened even more this year. These are the matches that everyone wants to play.”

And a final word on Allegri, who watched on from the stands on Tuesday night: “I have to make sure he is more careful, because he is the head coach and it’s right that he is here with us.”