Discover how AC Milan’s attacking trio dominated the match, leading to a decisive 3-0 victory over Lecce. Read more about their standout performance.
Introduction:
AC Milan continued their winning streak in Serie A with a resounding 3-0 victory over Lecce at the San Siro. The Rossoneri, fresh from their triumph over the Milan derby, showcased their prowess by scoring three goals in a spectacular five-minute spell towards the end of the first half. The goals scored by Álvaro Morata, Theo Hernández, and Christian Pulisic ensured Milan a third consecutive league triumph and an equal top of the table position with Torino at the moment.
Game of Two Halves: Slow Beginnings, Explosive Endings
The game got underway, and for quite some time, Lecce led the home side. In the fourth minute, Dorgu shot high over the crossbar with a powerful shot, and few minutes later, Krstović somehow managed to squeeze a low shot across the box that forced Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan to action. Milan began very tentatively. Fofana’s long-range effort in the 15th minute was wide off the far post, and Gallo’s strike in the 23rd minute was comfortably saved by Maignan.
See also: AC Milan Fought Back to Secure a Point Against Torino in a 2-2 Thrilling Serie A Opener
The Rossoneri patiently maintained possession but were not able to break the Lecce defense for long. It was only in the 28th minute that Milan showed a bit of threat when Morata found Rafael Leão, who set up Abraham for a cross that came to nothing.
Five Minutes of Brilliance
The match was turning 38 when Morata, not at full fitness, headed high at the near post to meet a precise free-kick from Theo Hernández, as the ball rebounded off the crossbar and into the net. It served to fire Milan’s attack, and three minutes later, Theo Hernández doubled the lead with a thunderous shot from the edge of the box, assisted by a clever pass from Leão.
Milan attack continued relentless; 43rd minutes and finally, when Abraham’s shot hit the crossbar, Pulisic was quick to pounce on the rebound to make it 3-0. The Rossoneri thus sealed the game in five minutes, leaving Lecce stunned and struggling to regroup.
Asserting control for the balance of the game and Defensive stability
The game, after the break, looked quite comfortable for AC Milan as they asserted control of the game and continued to threaten the Lecce goal. Reijnders and Leão both had the chances to increase the difference, while Loftus-Cheek’s shot in the 57th minute nearly reached its destination. Lecce reacted, trying to return to the match. Ante Rebić, ex-Rossoneri player made Maignan save acrobatically in the 62nd minute. Visitors had a close one in the 72nd minute when Banda’s shot hit the post.
Nervy Ending
The match had been an edgy affair in the 80th minute when Milan went down to 10 men as Bartesaghi received a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Banda, leaving Milan to defend their lead with one man down for the final ten minutes of the match. Milan’s defense had stemmed all efforts Lecce could muster in trying to take advantage of the numerical superiority when Maignan marshaled. In injury time, Leão almost made a fourth in a powerful shot brilliantly saved by Falcone as the score remained 3-0 at the final whistle.
Key Takeaways and Forward Looking
It’s another important victory to take AC Milan forward under manager Paulo Fonseca. The side had a rather bumpy ride this season, but now they’ve won the last three league matches on the trot, topping it all off by winning against their crosstown rivals Inter. The attack was razor-sharp, with the defense very resolute, especially after the team went down to ten men.
This victory brings Milan a temporary lead of the Serie A as it equals Torino at 11 points, but will only have a short breath over the weekend before getting back into action as viewers who will follow the rest of the weekend’s matches.