TIME MACHINE: JOSÉ MARI IN LECCE v AC MILAN

Lecce is never easy for AC Milan, the game in January 2023 proved as much when they came back from 0-2 down for a draw. It is not the only example. Another January game, but in 2002, saw a Lecce v AC Milan to remember. An important win, decided by the last-minute goal from José Mari. Let's relive the action from the Spanish forward with our Time Machine.

Born in Seville, where he then started his career, Atlético Madrid was his first big step. What makes his story special was the coach for the Colchoneros in 1998/99: Arrigo Sacchi, for the first and only time he took a job far from Italy, having made history as the Rossoneri manager. Arriving in December 1999, Mari scored against Roma in his second appearance, giving the Rossoneri a draw. It was something he couldn't repeat in the following months, given the strong competition in the AC Milan offensive department. It was the goal against Lecce that made all the difference. Three precious points were won on matchday 17, the halfway point of the season, that later gave the Rossoneri a 4th-place finish ahead of Chievo (+1) and allowed them to beat Lecce 3-0 at San Siro on the last day of the season to qualify for the Champions League.

On 5 January 2002, José Mari started out on the right in Ancelotti's 4-2-3-1, beside Serginho and Pirlo and behind Shevchenko. Cavasin's Giallorossi were giving their all, playing tightly and marking fiercely. The best chance of the first half came from a corner, Colonnello brought Lecce close to taking the lead. The Rossoneri were more convincing on the restart. The pivotal moment came in the 78th minute: Pirlo's free-kick flew towards the Spaniard with his back to the goal, who managed to get his head on it to deflect it into the net. The header from José Mari won the game 1-0, though he would remain relatively quiet until the end of the season when he returned to Spain.

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