By defeating Lecce on Sunday at the San Siro, Milan under Stefano Pioli stopped a slide in Serie A performance.
Milan defeated Lecce 2-0 to go back on the winning track in Serie A and improve their chances of making the Champions League. Rafael Leao struck a lethal double.
On Tuesday, Stefano Pioli's team defeated Napoli 2-1 on the road to the semifinals of the Champions League, but their previous domestic league performance had been far less than stellar.
Leao scored a goal in either half on Sunday at San Siro to help the Rossoneri, who had only managed one victory in their previous six league games, snap their losing streak against the relegation-threatened visitors.
With the Bianconeri's 15-point deduction reversed, Milan's victory brought them level on points with fourth-placed Roma, who go to Atalanta on Monday, and three points behind Juventus.
Sandro Tonali's opening 25-yard effort was stopped by Wladimiro Falcone before Theo Hernandez believed Milan had been awarded a penalty.
After a Federico Baschirotto tackle on Hernandez, Daniele Chiffi directed to the spot, but the referee changed his mind after consulting the VAR and touchline monitor.
Lameck Banda of Lecce blew a wonderful opportunity in the 19th minute by heading onto the left post from close range, and Milan made up for that error five minutes before halftime.
Tonali was able to cross towards the back post with a creative short-corner maneuver, and Leao, who towered over Valentin Gendrey, was there to head the ball into the left corner.
After 73 minutes, Leao wasted a chance to score by chipping the ball over, but he made up for it a minute later with a strong individual run and a low left-footed shot that deflected in off the right post.
Milan battled to a 1-1 draw against Napoli to earn their first Champions League last-four spot since 2007, and they avoided any of the previously typical indicators of a decline in form after that accomplishment.
The Rossoneri had lost their previous five Serie A games and had drawn their previous two league games following a Champions League encounter, but Pioli's team deserved to defeat Lecce.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0