In a thrilling rollercoaster of a match, Milan staged an awe-inspiring turnaround to triumph over Lecce, a team languishing in the lower half of the Serie A table, with a 3-2 victory at Stadio Via del Mare. This pivotal win not only breathed new life into Milan’s campaign but also likely saved Coach Sergio Conceicao from the chopping block, as it helped bridge the gap to sixth-placed Bologna down to a mere three points.
The match began on a tumultuous note, with Santiago Gimenez’s opening goal in the very first minute being ruled out for offside. The drama continued as Nikola Krstovic gave Lecce a head start by breaking the deadlock in the seventh minute. Milan’s hopes of leveling the score were dashed when Matteo Gabbia’s strike was annulled by VAR over another offside call.
The second half commenced on a sour note for Milan, with Krstovic amplifying Lecce’s lead. However, the tide began to turn a mere ten minutes into the half when Antonino Gallo accidentally conceded an own goal, reigniting the hope of the visiting Milan fans.
The game’s pivotal turning point came when Christian Pulisic showcased his skills by winning a penalty, which he confidently converted to bring Milan level. Pulisic then took center stage again, capitalizing on Rafael Leao’s exquisite cross to flip the game in Milan’s favor.
Examining the individual performances, some may argue that Mike Maignan’s replacement could have done more to thwart Krstovic’s initial strike. Lecce managed to convert two out of their three shots on target, raising questions about the effectiveness of the stand-in.
Returning from a minor injury, Milan’s star right-back held his ground but nearly set up another goal for Lecce with a poorly timed tackle. Despite this, he outshone his counterpart Gabbia, showing superior defensive skills and dominance in aerial duels.
Gabbia, on the other hand, was unlucky to have his goal disallowed. However, his performance raised eyebrows as he allowed Krstovic ample room to fire a mid-range shot, setting the stage for Lecce’s opening strike.
In conclusion, this nail-biting match showcased Milan’s resilience and fighting spirit, offering a lifeline to their under-pressure coach Conceicao. The spotlight undoubtedly belonged to the dynamic Pulisic, whose heroics turned the tide in Milan’s favor and wrote a victorious chapter in their ongoing Serie A saga.
