AC Milan took control of the game early on and were seemingly keen to make up ground on the Serie A top four as the Rossoneri dropped out of the Champions League places following Juventus’ points deduction reversal. Milan had to be patient to try and break down relegation-threatened Lecce and the hosts eventually started to threaten when Sandro Tonali’s long-range shot forced Wladimiro Falcone into a diving save before Theo Hernandez was tripped in the area by Federico Baschirotto.
Daniele Chiffi had no hesitation pointing to the spot initially, but the original decision was overruled by VAR to give I Giallorossi a lifeline.
Lecce nearly built upon their stroke of good fortune immediately as Valentin Gendrey’s whipped cross found an unmarked Lameck Banda, whose header cannoned off the post, with the visitors searching for their first Serie A goal on the road since mid-February. Ultimately, Lecce were punished for their lack of ruthlessness when Leao struck his third goal in three matches against I Giallorossi with a towering header from Tonali’s cross.
A timid start to the second period did little to help Lecce search for their first win at Milan since October 1997 and the Rossoneri continued to push for a second, with Brahim Díaz going closest with a low strike that Falcone held. In the closing stages, Gabriel Strefezza nearly produced the spectacular to claw Lecce back into the contest when his fierce effort from 25 yards was palmed over the crossbar by Mike Maignan. But Milan carved open the Giallorossi late on and Leao sealed the points with a mazy run and curled finish into the bottom corner.
Considering Stefano Pioli’s side had drawn their last two matches following mid-week Champions League matches, this win and clean sheet provided the perfect remedy to boost Milan’s domestic form as they remain outside the top four on goal difference. A seventh loss in eight has done little to ease Lecce’s relegation troubles as Marco Baroni’s side are two points above the drop zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
