Leeds United 1-1 AC Milan: A story of two halves as the Rossoneri struggle — Sempre Milan 9/8/25

By Ben Dixon

AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Premier League side Leeds United on Saturday afternoon. A result that many could be frustrated with.

The first of a double header weekend against two Premier League sides, there was a lot of anticipation for what the line-up would be for the first of the games. Though there were not too many shocks.

Key players were rested, whilst Santiago Gimenez came into the starting XI after returning from his holiday earlier this week. Interestingly, Emanuele Sala and Vittorio Magni started, but even they were not the headlines. Instead, it was a debut for Ardon Jashari, who signed for the club this week.

As first halves go, Milan were not fantastic value for money. It was quite tame with it not being a dominant opening period. However, Allegri’s side defended rather well, and then eventually got their chance to go ahead at the end of the half.

A typical poacher finish from Santiago Gimenez, who needed to put in a good shift back in Rossoneri after his summer break. Considering the requests for a box-poacher, it was a goal that represented that Gimenez can play that role.

The second half was largely dominated by Leeds, who eventually equalised 20 minutes from time with quite a poor goal, from a Diavolo perspective. Though it was a sign of the half, with Allegri’s men not really doing anything of note.

The first 10 minutes were rather quiet, with Milan failing to really create anything of note. Their biggest chance of the period came to Gimenez, who was keen to make an immediate impact for his new coach. Unfortunately, though, he slipped when lining up for the shot.

In the minutes that followed, it would be the Whites to step forward more with the ball, and in the 10th minute, they struck the bar, reminding the Rossoneri of their quality. A wake-up call, indeed, with Allegri’s side not really creating too much.

It did seem to take an impact, with the Diavolo having a chance just a few minutes later. Noah Okafor was played through after a nice bit of play from the team. However, the Swiss man was unable to get his shot on target.

A half chance, but something which he should have done better with.

Most of the 10 minutes that followed were rather quiet, with neither team doing much of note. There was the occasional look of something interesting. However, neither was able to get themselves off the mark until some nice work from Milan.

A goal deserving of the ‘team-goal’ tag, the ball was worked onto the left-hand side before Samuel Chukwueze was played into the box. The Nigerian then fired a ball across the face of the goal, and with no one preventing it, Gimenez pounced at the back post.

Firing the ball past the goalkeeper, it was not a small moment considering the noise around him. Throughout the summer, there have been questions about his future, and he made the first step towards answering them today.

Despite having a solid first 45 minutes, Yunus Musah was taken off by Allegri at the half-time mark – perhaps to save him for tomorrow’s game against Chelsea – and replaced by Andrei Coubis.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half followed the same pattern as it did in the first 45. Both teams having moments, but nothing really worthy of being named as a chance. Instead, it was more a case of seeing decent signs from players.

For example, Pervis Estupinan had a nice chance to start a counter-attack, even defending to an OK level with Leeds pressing the Ecuadorian rather heavily.

The biggest point of the first 10, though, was a little bit of play from Jashari. Not much in the grand scheme of things, but a sign of what he will do. He started an attack whilst being under pressure, which Milan probably should have done more with. Either way, exactly what Milan will want to see more of.

Victor Eletu and Diego Sia were then brought on for Santiago Gimenez and the debutant Jashari.

Eventually, Leeds’ pressure paid off as the Whites levelled the scoring 20 minutes from time. Stach was left unmarked on the edge of the box and fired the ball into the back post. Pietro Terracciano maybe should have done a little better and was left flailing as it reached the back of the net.

A poor goal to concede, way too much respect given to the goalscorer, and Allegri will surely be having words with his defenders about it once the game has finished.

It was at this moment that Allegri opted to make another change, bringing the goalkeeper off for young Lorenzo Torriani. Then, 10 minutes later, Alexis Saelemaekers replaced Chukwueze, Malick Thiaw – who seems to be heading towards an exit – replaced Strahinja Pavlovic, whilst Filippo Terracciano and Samuele Ricci also came on for Sala and Magni.

Instantly, Saelemaekers made an impact, playing a nice cross into the back post; Sia was there to greet it, but his headed attempt was pushed onto the bar by the Leeds ‘keeper.

As a whole, the second half was really poor from a Diavolo perspective. Moments were really hard to come by, whilst Leeds dominated everything on the ball. The first half was somewhat bright, but the second 45 really left a lot to be desired.

Of course, with another game tomorrow, players may have been instructed to be more aggressive in the first 45 minutes.