AC Milan broke their negative streak early on Saturday evening, turning a 0-2 deficit at US Lecce around and winning for the first time in four competitive games.
Milan, who had not won in four competitive games, started ambitiously and immediately confirmed their role as favorites in the duel with 16th-placed Lecce. It only took a few seconds for center forward Gimenez to put the visitors in front after a low cross from captain Theo, but the goal was disallowed after review by the video assistant for offside (1.).
Krstovic takes a precise shot – Milan have no luck
And when things aren’t going your way, they just aren’t. In the seventh minute, AC Milan found themselves behind – again, you might say. Krstovic, whose long-range shooting prowess had apparently escaped the Milan defense, took a shot from outside the box that curled perfectly into the right corner to give the underdog a surprising lead (7′).
Although Milan did not play a weak away game, they just could not equalize in the first half. First, Musah was denied by Falcone shortly after going behind (9′), then Gabbia’s alleged 1-1 was disallowed for offside (16′). Meanwhile, Lecce were not creating many chances, but when they did, they were extremely dangerous. In the 21st minute, Krstovic hit the outside of the post.
After the break, it got wild: First, Krstovic made it 2-0 after a great Lecce attack, which initially suggested that Milan could now slide even further into its crisis (59′ ). But the favorites refused to be beaten and got a deserved goal to pull them level, though with a little help from Gallo. The Lecce goalkeeper unfortunately put the ball into his own net after Joao Felix’s unsuccessful shot on 68 minutes.
Pulisic turns the game around
And just five minutes later, Pulisic equalized from the penalty spot after a clear penalty decision (73′). But that wasn’t all: Milan wanted more – and got more. Lecce defended only and that was the undoing of the relegation candidate. Rafael Leao was allowed to cross undisturbed and Pulisic was able to slide in at the far post for a brace and the winning goal (81′).
AC Milan won for the first time in four competitive games without a win and will face Como next weekend (March 15, 6 p.m.). US Lecce will be guests in Genoa on Friday evening (8:45 p.m.).
