LECCE v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

"We are lucky to be playing in three days, we have to move on". Sandro Tonali will not be on the pitch, due to disqualification, for Lecce v AC Milan, but his words following the Coppa Italia defeat against Torino frame the importance of the challenge at the Via Del Mare well. A hostile ground, an opponent in very good form, but in the Rossoneri's camp there is a great desire to find the victory and restart, in terms of morale, before the Super Cup against Inter. We approach the kick-off on Apulian soil, scheduled for 18:00 CET, with our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
Good news in the Rossoneri's camp, where there is a great desire for redemption after the last few games: Simon Kjær and Divock Origi are back available, as confirmed by Coach Pioli in the press conference. There are more alternatives for the Rossoneri's rotation in view of the 90 minutes at the Via del Mare, where to replace the disqualified Tonali a choice between Pobega and Vranckx is looming alongside Bennacer, fresh from his contract renewal. Another novelty, compared to recent outings, could be the alternation between Messias, who returned in the Cup against the Granata, and Saelemaekers in the three who will play behind Olivier Giroud.

"I saw will and determination in the players, in the last few games we haven't achieved the results we were wanting," said Coach Pioli on the eve of the match. "I saw a desire to do something more and to learn from our mistakes. In Lecce, it will be a very difficult match because they are very confident, they are doing well on the pitch, mentally and physically".

LATEST FROM LECCE
An important comeback for the Salentini as well: Coach Baroni will have the Giallorossi captain Hjulmand back, who after serving a disqualification will resume his place at the centre of Lecce's midfield, flanked by Blin and González. As for the rest, no one is disqualified in a team that comes off the back of five matches without defeat (11 points collected, including home victories over Atalanta and Lazio) and that should play its usual 4-3-3, with the experience of Umtiti in the centre of defence and the offensive three captained by Lorenzo Colombo, supported by Strefezza and one of Di Francesco or Banda.

"We are playing against the Italian champions, a team coached by a very good Stefano Pioli who has brought modern, dynamic, beautiful football," Marco Baroni's pre-match words. "We know how difficult a match it is, we will need a lot of dedication. To play our part, we'll have to finish the match exhausted: that's the only way we can try to put a team like AC Milan in difficulty".

LATEST FROM SERIE A
The experienced Daniele Orsato will referee the challenge at the Via del Mare. The 47-year-old from Schio is nearing his 264th appearance in Serie A and will cross the Rossoneri's path for the 33rd time in the top flight: the current tally is 13 wins, 11 draws and 8 defeats. AC Milan's last three matches refereed by Orsato - all in 2022 - have gone our way: wins against Napoli, Atalanta and Juventus. There have been seven previous meetings with the hosts: three wins, one draw and three defeats. Completing the refereeing team are assistants Pagliardini and Rossi, Massimi the designated fourth official. Mazzoleni on VAR, assisted by Longo.

The 18th week of Serie A will take place across four days: yesterday, Friday 13 January, Napoli 5-1 Juventus was played. Three matches are scheduled for Saturday: Cremonese v Monza at 15:00 CET, Lecce v AC Milan at 18:00 CET and Inter v Verona at 20:45 CET. Five matches are on the Sunday: Sassuolo v Lazio at 12:30 CET, Torino v Spezia and Udinese v Bologna at 15:00 CET, Atalanta v Salernitana at 18:00 CET and Roma v Fiorentina at 20:45 CET. It will be Empoli v Sampdoria on Monday at 20:45 CET to close the programme.

This is the current Serie A table: Napoli* 47; AC Milan, Juventus* 37; Inter 34; Lazio, Atalanta, Roma 31; Udinese 25; Torino, Fiorentina 23; Lecce, Bologna, Empoli 19; Salernitana, Monza 18; Sassuolo 16; Spezia 15; Sampdoria, Hellas Verona 9; Cremonese 7. (* denotes game in hand)

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