Despite rallying from two goals behind to tie 2-2 with Lecce in Serie A on Saturday, Milan's ongoing slump was not greatly diminished. Last Sunday, Stefano Pioli's team let a 2-0 lead over Roma slip away, and Tuesday, 10-man Torino eliminated them from the Coppa Italia.
At Stadio Via del Mare, things appeared to be getting worse for them as Theo Hernandez's early own goal and a Federico Baschirotto header in the 23rd minute added to the score.
Despite the champions' inability to complete the comeback, Davide Calabria's equalizer 20 minutes from time allowed Milan to move up a spot after Rafael Leao's goal drew one back.
Within three minutes, Federico Di Francesco had a difficult task before them as Hernandez converted his cross. After Tommaso Pobega shot at Wladimiro Falcone and Olivier Giroud blasted the rebound over with Lecce fully in control, the vivacious Di Francesco then struck agonizingly wide on either side.
But before the half-hour mark, a well-deserved second goal was scored when Baschirotto had a clear header in the box after Morten Hjulmand's long ball.
Moments later, Valentin Gendry should have done the same after yet another threatening play by Di Francesco when he mysteriously headed off target.
Just before the hour, Leao capitalized on a rebound, moved the ball to his right foot, and beat Falcone to score, giving Milan a chance. Twelve minutes later, Calabria scored the equalizer off of a Giroud header, but despite a thrilling conclusion, neither team would score again.
MILAN EXHIBITS SPIRIT, BUT NEEDS TO DO MORE TO JUMP-START THEIR SEASON.
It is important to keep in mind that this season has a long way to go. In fact, with only one more matchday remaining, we are still officially not halfway through the season.
But Napoli already leads the pack by nine points, and as Friday's stunning demolition of Juventus showed, they are a force to be reckoned with. They are not so far ahead by accident.
A point here for Milan is undoubtedly preferable to none, which for a while appeared to be the more likely outcome, but it will take more to bring Napoli into play. Success in the Supercoppa Italiana the following week might serve as a kind of spark.
STREFEZZA EPITOMIZES THE MINDSET OF LECCE.
Gabriel Strefezza, a 25-year-old winger, was incredibly hard to miss in this situation. Only Lorenzo Colombo (four) provided more assists than his three crucial passes, yet he still had more shots than anyone else on the field (six).
Strefezza put in a lot of effort away from the ball as well, finishing with four tackles, which tied for the most among Lecce players, and a game-high nine recoveries.
HERNANDEZ FACES A FORGETTABLE DAY.
Hernandez's own goal was regrettable, but it will still be remembered as a mistake. When Hjulmand's cross connected with Baschirotto's head to score Lecce's second goal, he was one of those spectators. At the half, the left-back, who had contributed very little offensively, was substituted.
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