Santiago Gimenez Breaks Goal Drought in AC Milan's Coppa Italia Victory

Santiago Gimenez, the Mexican striker for AC Milan, ended a frustrating goal drought by scoring his first goal of the season during a 3-0 victory over Lecce in the Coppa Italia on September 23, 2025. This match marked a significant moment for Gimenez, who had faced scrutiny following rumors about his future at the club after a lackluster start to the season. The victory propelled AC Milan into the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia, where they will face Lazio in December.

Santiago Gimenez insists he 'never thought about leaving' AC Milan as striker ends frustrating goal drought with first of the seasonSantiago Giménez: "As a child, I dreamed of playing for AC Milan"Player ratings: Milan 3-0 Lecce – Inspiring Rabiot, Gimenez relief | OneFootballGimenez: AC Milan always my dream club

Gimenez joined AC Milan from Feyenoord in January 2025 for a fee exceeding €30 million. Despite a promising start with five goals and two assists in his first 14 Serie A appearances, his performance had been underwhelming in the early part of the current season, leading to speculation about a potential departure. Fabio Capello, a former manager, expressed confusion over Gimenez's inability to score consistently, noting his previous success in the Netherlands where he netted over 60 goals in two and a half years.

Santiago Giménez: "As a child, I dreamed of playing for AC Milan"

In the match against Lecce, Gimenez opened the scoring just minutes after Lecce's Jamil Siebert received a red card in the 18th minute. His goal was a crucial confidence boost, as he stated, "The most important thing is that the first goal comes—others will follow." The match also featured goals from Christopher Nkunku and Christian Pulisic, further solidifying Milan's dominance. AC Milan's performance was characterized by strong attacking play and a solid defense, with the team hitting the woodwork multiple times.

Player ratings: Milan 3-0 Lecce – Inspiring Rabiot, Gimenez relief | OneFootball

Following the match, Gimenez reaffirmed his commitment to AC Milan, stating, "As a child, I dreamed of playing for AC Milan. I'm in the team of my dreams." Coach Marco Landucci, who was filling in for the suspended Massimiliano Allegri, praised Gimenez's performance and emphasized the importance of his goal for the team's morale. He remarked, "A striker must score goals, but his performances have always been good."

Santiago Giménez: "As a child, I dreamed of playing for AC Milan"

Despite the positive outcome, some analysts, including Capello, remain skeptical about Gimenez's long-term consistency at Milan. Capello noted, "Honestly, I can’t explain. It’s incredible," referring to Gimenez's struggles to find the net despite his previous success. This ongoing scrutiny highlights the pressure on the striker to perform at a high level consistently.

Capello reveals what Milan, Juventus and Inter need for title but ‘can’t explain’ Gimenez issue | OneFootball

Looking ahead, Gimenez and AC Milan are set to face a challenging match against Napoli, a team that has strengthened significantly over the summer. Gimenez acknowledged the importance of the upcoming game, stating, "It'll be a great challenge, a great match. We know that, and we'll start preparing for the game tomorrow." As the season progresses, maintaining focus and improving performance will be crucial for both Gimenez and the team.

Coppa Italia, Landucci: "We wanted to advance. We're happy with Gimenez's goal."