AC MILAN V LECCE: KEYS TO THE MATCH

The league season returns to San Siro and features AC Milan v Lecce, an important fixture in the Rossoneri's race for the top four. They will take to the pitch at 18:00 CEST tomorrow, Sunday 23 April, against a side looking for points to ensure their survival in Serie A. On the eve of the match, let's find out what could be the decisive factors.

RUTHLESS IN FRONT OF GOAL AND A SOLID DEFENCE
The exhausting Champions League double-header against Napoli must now be left in the past, as the league season allows no time for reflection and AC Milan cannot slow down. Two facts jump out at you from the last matches: the Rossoneri have been less clinical ion the opposition box because, in the last 9 matches played between all competitions, only once (Napoli 0-4 AC Milan) have they scored more than one goal in the same game. The volume of chances created is always high, but there has been a lack of cutting edge and luck in the final action, which is vital in matches like the one against Lecce, a team that concedes few chances. At the same time, the defence has raised the wall, conceding very few goals in recent games: concentration and on-pitch relationships have made the difference in the Champions League and that will have to be replicated in the league to gain more points in the top four race. 

MINDFUL OF THE LAST MEETING
In the last meeting at the Via del Mare on 14 January, the Rossoneri were caused lots of problems by the Salentini: Lecce were in great form and made life very difficult on the wings for the Rossoneri full-backs. Considering the current form Lecce are in (7 games without a win in Serie A), it is possible to expect a more defensive and less boisterous attitude compared to the in previous game in January: therefore being compact, very few spaces granted to the Rossoneri attack and lightning fast counter attacks. AC Milan have suffered a lot from this style of play, more with Salernitana than with Empoli, and will therefore have to pay particular attention to balance, avoiding sending too many men forward in search of the goal and leaving too much space at the back. 

LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS
Let's talk about Lecce's defence, which is one of the strengths of this team. The Salentini press a lot and try to close the passing lines from the back, a job that starts with the forwards. This attitude, very similar to Empoli's, calls for the Rossoneri to be precise in every aspect of the build-up, and above all, some individual brilliance may be needed. All eyes will be on the dribbling of Rafael Leão and Junior Messias, who will have the task of getting the better of their opposite men on the wings. The contribution of the full backs will also be important, as will the options off the bench as the game progresses. 

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