Serie A: AC Milan does very well against Lecce but loses Rafael Leão to injury

AC Milan will have experienced the emotional elevator this afternoon at the Stadio Via del Mare. Traveling to the Puglia region to face Lecce, the Rossoneri were held in check (2-2), despite a two-goal advantage at the start but especially at the end of a thrilling match full of twists and turns. If Rafael Leão’s exit due to injury in the 10th minute suggested a complicated evening, Stefano Pioli’s players quickly proved the opposite. Shortly before the half-hour mark, Olivier Giroud scored his 7th goal of the season on a serve from Théo Hernandez (28th, 0-1), while the Dutchman Tijjani Reijnders hit the nail on the head seven minutes later (35th, 0- 2).

But resilient and eye-catching, Lecce was able to defy the odds. The trigger? Probably the changes made by Roberto D’Aversa at the hour of play with the bleeding entries of Nicolas Sansone and the former Toulouse player Alexis Blin. The two players only needed three minutes to shine. From a corner, the Frenchman cleverly deflected the ball for the Italian at the far post (1-2, 66th). Four minutes later, the former Villarreal player took on the role of decisive passer for Banda (2-2, 70th). Reassured, the Salentini were even close to taking the advantage, again thanks to Sansone. On a cross, the Italian found the post of a beaten Mike Maignan (85th), before unleashing a powerful shot a few moments later (89th). But while Olivier Giroud was sent off for unpoetic words towards the match referee, Lecce believed in success after Piccoli’s superb goal. In the end it was not the case since it was refused for a previous fault (90+4th). With this result, AC Milan stagnates in 3rd place but above all remains within reach of Naples, who will host Empoli this Sunday. Lecce is 13th in Serie A.