Napoli returns to +9 in the standings
Salento ahead by two goals thanks to Hernandez’s own goal and Baschirotto’s goal, in the second half Leao and Calabria take care of grabbing the draw
Ends 2-2 Lecce-Milanthird advance of the 18th day of A league. The Rossoneri go down after just 3′ with a own goal by Theo Hernandezto then suffer a doubling on the 23′ Bashkir. In the second half the attitude changes: Lion he finds the 2-1 in the 58th minute, while he thinks about it in the 71st minute Calabria to balance the result. Both teams try to win it in the final, but the result doesn’t change anymore. Second stop in a row for the Italian champions, who see the Naples run away again to + 9.
THE MATCH
Another draw, this time with a comeback completed and not suffered, but which still leaves negative aftermath. Milan still slams against one yellow Redsees the go away Naples in the standings and prepares for the Super cup derbies with some less certainty and some more doubts. An initial soft and defeatist attitude, a series of defensive distractions and some players who were anything but in top condition (see Theo Hernandez) were the main ingredients of Lecce’s match. L’pride pulled out in the second half can be a starting point, but to better face the challenge with theInter on Wednesday something more will certainly be needed.
The start of the match is a nightmarish one for the Rossoneri: Kalulu, with an incredible mistake, gives the ball to Di Francesco, who crosses in the middle in search of Blin’s insertion. In an attempt to anticipate it Theo Hernandez throws the ball into his own goal with his shoulder, bringing the Salento forward after just 3′. The Italian champions are in shock and shortly after are in danger of capitulating, but of Francis he graces them face to face with Tatarusanu, kicking just wide. The first big chance for the guests happens on the right of Pobega, well primed by Diaz, but Falcone is careful about the midfielder’s conclusion. However, it is always Lecce who make the match, who press aggressively and attack with many men, while Milan acts almost alone as a throw-in, struggling to trigger Leao and Giroud. Pioli’s boys seem confused and lostthe defense swerves continuously and in the 23rd minute the Salento doubling: perfect cross by Hjulmand, winning shot by Bashkir who takes advantage of aanother Kalulu sleep to bag the 2-0. In the end of the fraction, the Rossoneri have a couple of good chances to reopen it, first with Pobega (right alto), then con Giroudwho instead finds Falcone’s extraordinary response on a good header.
At the beginning of the second half Pioli proposes Messias for an impalpable Saelemakers e Dest for an out-of-round Theo. The team seems to be able to change their attitude, they are more attentive in managing possession and more effective in offensive projections and in the 58th minute halve the disadvantage: Giroud’s shot is blocked by Falcone, Baschirotto anticipates Diaz’s easy tap-in, but the ball reaches Lion who beats the Giallorossi goalkeeper, naive to let himself slip on his post. 20′ from the end Pioli also enters the fray Originpaired with Giroud, and it is the Frenchman himself who gives his contribution for the draw: perfect bank for the insertion of Calabria, who heads to make it 2-2. In the 83rd minute Pioli’s boys hold their breath on a splendid action by the substitute Gallo, when a Tatarusanu-Tomori rebound for a few centimeters it does not lead to the second own goal. It’s the last thrill of an evening full of emotions, but one that leaves a bitter taste for both teams. For Lecce it is still the sixth consecutive useful resultwhich certifies the excellent momentum of Baroni’s boys.
REPORT CARDS
Squeeze 7 – Play between the lines without giving points of reference and often finding himself free with the ball at his feet. His constant changes of play are Lecce’s extra weapon in the first half.
Bashkirotto 7 – Solid marking on Giroud and leading performance. He also takes away the satisfaction of the goal, which deludes him that he can hit the coup.
Columbus 6 – Generous in pressure and sacrifice for his teammates, but practically never dangerous in the penalty area.
Kalulu 4.5 – The 1-0 goal was born from his mistake in the disengagement phase and he also bears a heavy responsibility when he doubles, when Baschirotto lets escape.
Leo 6.5 – In the first half he lights up only in gusts and never in a dangerous way. In the second half he grows, finds more space and scores, with the complicity of Falcone, the goal that gives confidence.
Bennacer 6.5 – Struggles like the whole team in the first 45′, but takes the chair in the second half with a driving performance. His plays are fundamental to get back on top.
THE TABLE
Lecce-Milan 2-2
Lecce (4-3-3): Falcon 6; Gendrey 6.5, Baschirotto 7, Umtiti 6.5, Pezzella 6 (17′ st Gallo 6.5); Blin 6.5, Hjulmand 6.5, Gonzalez 6.5 (17′ st Maleh 5.5); Strefezza 7 (44′ st Oudin sv), Colombo 6 (27′ st Persson 6), Di Francesco 6.5 (27′ st Banda 6).
Trainer: Barons 6.5
Milan (4-2-3-1): Tarusanu 6; Calabria 6 (41′ st Kjaer sv), Kalulu 4.5, Tomori 5, Hernandez 5 (1′ st Dest 6); Pobega 6 (41′ st Vranckx sv), Bennacer 6.5; Saelemaekers 5.5 (1′ st Messias 5.5), Diaz 5.5 (24′ st Origi 6), Leao 6.5; Giroud 6.
Trainer: Pegs 6
Referee: Bear
Markers: 3′ auto. Hernandez (L), 23′ Baschirotto (L), 13′ st Leao (M), 25′ st Calabria (M)
Ammonite yourself: Maleh (L), Calabria (M), Bennacer (M)
Expelled:
THE STATISTICS
• Before today, the last time Milan had drawn a Serie A match after being two goals down was on 13 December 2020 against Parma.
• For the first time in this league, Rafael Leão has been involved in at least one goal in four games in a row.
• Rafael Leão has been involved in 13 goals so far in 17 league appearances this season, five more than in the first 17 games of last Serie A.
• Davide Calabria hadn’t scored since 23 October 2021 against Bologna in Serie A, 28 games without goals before today.
• Milan had not conceded a goal in the first three minutes of a Serie A match since the match against Udinese on 13 August 2022.
• Lecce’s two headers this season came from Federico Baschirotto, today and in November against Atalanta.
• Lecce hadn’t scored a goal in the first three minutes of play in Serie A since 23 April 2011 (Di Michele against Genoa).
• Milan’s last own goal in Serie A dated back to 28 November 2021 against Sassuolo (Kjaer).
• It had been since October against Turin that Milan had not conceded two goals in the first half of a Serie A match.
• It was since November against Atalanta that Lecce had not scored two goals in the first half of a Serie A match.
• Milan have conceded seven headers, more than any other team in this league.
• Brahim Díaz made his 100th appearance for Milan today, counting all competitions.