TIME MACHINE: RONALDINHO IN AC MILAN v LECCE

A game of many emotions and thrilling finale. AC Milan and Lecce met at San Siro at the beginning of April also in the 2008/09 Serie A season, and two goals scored, first by Ronaldinho and then Pippo Inzaghi - deep into stoppage-time - delivered three big and needed points to Carlo Ancelotti's Rossoneri. Let's look ahead to the next chapter of this fixture with the team from Salento by reliving the match from 2009 inspired by the class and quality of the Brazilian playmaker.

Ronaldinho's first year with AC Milan was full of his best plays and strokes of genius. Bought in the summer of 2008, his contribution to the Rossoneri cause was immediate and constant throughout the year, with many highlights such as the game against Lecce, matchday 30 in Serie A 2008/09. The campaign was well under way and in full swing, but a few slip-ups between February and March had slowed down AC Milan's progress and shortened the advantage over the chasing pack for Champions League qualification: the team led by Coach Ancelotti hosted De Canio's Lecce with the aim of securing third place in the table. The start of the game was intense and lively; the Rossoneri, who lined up Kaká, Pato and Inzaghi up front, controlled the tempo but were unable to surprise the visitors, who defended well. The first half ended goalless: 0-0.

AC Milan needed a spark. Ronaldinho, who came on at the start of the second half in place of Clarence Seedorf, tried to shake things up with his technical quality and the match came to life as the minutes passed. Pato and Inzaghi came close to giving us the lead on several occasions, and Dinho called Benussi into action with a well-aimed free-kick from the edge of the box. AC Milan did not give up and insisted with desire and character, and the final onslaught rewarded the Rossoneri. In the 91st minute, Pirlo put a ball into the centre, Senderos flicked the ball on and found Ronaldinho, who turned it home. San Siro went ballistic, with the number 80 getting the match-winner. Two minutes later, there was also room for Inzaghi to double the lead, scoring with a close-range header at the end of a move that started from the Brazilian’s back-heel: it ended 2-0 to AC Milan!

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