AC Milan produced a stunning comeback at the Stadio Via del Mare against Lecce, coming from two goals down in the second half to eventually win 3-2.
Milan found themselves two goals down going into the final 30 minutes, with Nikola Krstovic scoring a brace including a first goal that was an absolute rocket of a shot.
Yet, the Rossoneri roared back when they seemed floored. Firstly Joao Felix’s shot was diverted in via an own-goal, then Christian Pulisic scored from the penalty spot and Pulisic’s volley capped the comeback inside the final 15 minutes.
It is a result that doesn’t even begin to tell the story of another chaotic game after a chaotic week, yet it will at least temporarily provide some respite after what looked like being another embarrassing defeat.
Amid talk of him being under pressure, Sergio Conceicao made some big changes to the starting line-up. Kyle Walker came back into the side, Warren Bondo got a first start in midfield and Alex Jimenez returned on the wing. Marco Sportiello took the place of the suspended Mike Maignan, too.
It took less than one minute for Milan to cut Lecce open and score, with Christian Pulisic sending Theo Hernandez away down the left side of the box and Santiago Gimenez finishing from close range. However, after a VAR review the goal was chalked off for offside, with the Mexican having strayed making his run
Naturally, given the way that Milan’s season has gone this season, they would be picking the ball out of their own net six minutes later. A sloppy Tijjani Reijnders pass behind Jimenez led to a counter which Krstovic finished with a rocket of a shot from 20 yards out.
As flare smoke shrouded the Stadio Via del Mare Milan set about looking for an equaliser, and Yunus Musah tested Falcone with a powerful effort from the edge of the area that wasn’t quite far enough in the corner.
Low crosses continued to cause danger from Milan, and Gimenez managed to just about get on the end of another cut-back from Theo though the ball ricocheted around and in the end went over and wide from a few yards out. Moments later, Bondo tried his luck from 18 yards though Falcone saved easily.
In almost comical circumstances, Milan scored yet another offside goal. A brilliant free-kick routine which Theo took was buried at the near post by Matteo Gabbia, yet again VAR intervened to chalk it off as the centre-back had strayed too early.
The frantic nature of the game continued and so did Milan’s precarious attempts to defend. Krstovic was inches away from double his tally and Lecce’s lead as he fired from a narrow angle with Sportiello on the floor, yet hit the outside of the post.
The pressure from the home side continued as they made mistake after mistake in possession. After surrendering the ball in their own half, Krstovic should have had an assist when squaring to Pierotti on the right side of the box, yet the winger’s shot was wildly off target.
In the few minutes leading up to the half-time break Gimenez twice came close to adding to his goal tally. Firstly Falcone stopped a header from the striker that was pretty much straight at him, then he was happy to see the ball roll wide of the near post after Musah’s low cross was turned goal-wards.
Conceicao cannot have liked what he saw with his team heading for a fourth straight league defeat and he chose to make a change at the break: Rafael Leao came on, with Jimenez off.
The first big chance of the second half went to Milan and it was Gimenez’s turn to hit the woodwork. A cross came in from Theo and was never really cleared, then he managed to squeeze out a low shot from almost on the floor from close range that hit the post.
Milan continued to dominate the possession and the chances, and should have levelled when Leao’s in-swinging cross met the head of Musah who could not direct it anywhere near goal despite being about six yards out.
Just before the hour mark, the sucker punch came to effectively knock Milan out of the game. Once again Milan were caught out in transition and once again it was Krstovic who did the damage, sweeping home a cut-back from Guilbert with Sportiello motionless.
Two more changes were made by Conceicao just after the second goal went in: Bondo and Gimenez came off, with Joao Felix and Tammy Abraham coming on.
However, the Rossoneri’s hopes were rekindled in the 68th minute and through a touch of good fortune. Leao burst down the left and pulled back a cross to near the penalty spot, with Joao Felix’s first-time shot turned into the back of his own goal by Gallo.
Then, just three minutes later, Milan were handed the chance to level things from the penalty spot. A very clumsy challenge from Gallo inside the box saw the American take a tumble while looking to get away down the right side and he took on the responsibility from 12 yards, despatching it emphatically and leaving Falcone with no chance.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, the comeback was complete. The creator of the goal was Leao as he against marauded down the left and cut inside to deliver a teasing cross all the way to the far post, where Pulisic was on hand to get his second of the night and make it 3-2 in favour of the Rossoneri.
