RAFA PUTS LECCE TO THE SWORD

A Rafael Leão double gave AC Milan a vital three points on matchday 31 in Serie A as they beat Lecce 2-0 at San Siro. The Rossoneri showed tenacity and character to overcome Lecce’s resistance and return to winning ways at home in the league after two consecutive draws. The team’s energy-sapping Champions League showdown during the week inevitably took away a bit of spark, something which Pioli’s men needed to find a way through the visitors’ organised defence. But then Rafa took centre stage, with the Portuguese man opening the scoring with a fantastic header just as things were looking increasingly complicated.

Chances remained at a premium after the restart, too, with no real change in tempo, even if the Rossoneri continued to control proceedings before Leão’s second. In front of over 72,000 fans, it was vital for Coach Pioli’s men to leave the pitch without any regrets and with three points in the bag, and this is exactly what they achieved. The Rossoneri now sit on 56 points in the table ahead of their next Serie A encounter, which will see them face Mourinho’s Roma in a big showdown at Olimpico on Saturday 29 April. Keep pushing, boys!

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v LECCE

MATCH REPORT
The home side dominated proceedings early on, without getting into their stride fully. The first opportunity came on 14 minutes when Tonali hit a powerful strike from distance that was saved by Falcone. The visitors replied after 18 minutes with Gendrey’s cross ending up at the back post only for Banda’s header to fly back off the woodwork. As the half progressed, the Rossoneri stepped up their attacking intent, but Lecce remained tight and well-organised. The deadlock was eventually broken after 40 minutes: Messias and Tonali linked up for a corner routine, with the latter crossing to the back stick for Leão, who climbed highest to give AC Milan a deserved 1-0 lead going into the break.

The Rossoneri controlled possession and tempo of the game, as the looked for a second goal at the start of the second half. Both Head Coaches’ changes gave their respective sides newfound energy and the game a lift: Rebić played through Díaz after 69 minutes but his left-footed effort was blocked by by Falcone at the second attempt, while from a rebound Strefezza made Maignan work. The Rossoneri kept on pushing forward: after 73 minutes, Leão took on two men, but couldn’t find the target clipping over the bar. But it wasn’t long before he found his, and his team’s, second of the game; picking the ball up in midfield, Rafa drove forward, entered the box and hit a left-footed shot across the keeper into the far corner to give AC Milan a 2-0 lead with 15 minutes to play. The closing stages were all about game management with the Rossoneri receiving no threats from the away side. It ended 2-0.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 2-0 LECCE

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kalulu, Thiaw (59' Kjær), Tomori, Hernández; Krunić, Tonali (59' Bennacer); Messias (59' Saelemaekers), Díaz (78' De Ketelaere), Leão (78' Origi); Rebić. Subs: Mirante, Tătăruşanu; Ballo-Touré, Florenzi, Gabbia; Adli, Bakayoko, Vranckx; Ibrahimović. Coach: Pioli.

LECCE (4-3-3): Falcone; Gendrey (79' Romagnoli), Baschirotto, Umtiti, Gallo; Blin (76' González), Hjulmand, Oudin; Di Francesco (65' Strefezza), Ceesay (65' Voelkerling), Banda. Subs: Bleve, Brancolini; Cassandro, Ceccaroni, Pezzella, Tuia; Askildsen, Helgason, Maleh. Coach: Baroni.

Referee: Chiffi from Padova.
Goals: 40' Leão (M), 75' Leão (M).
Booked: 27' Thiaw (M).

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