Serie A: Milan Stuns Lecce with Pulisic-Led Comeback

Milan coach Sergio Conceicao can breathe a sigh of relief after his team orchestrated a remarkable turnaround against Lecce, winning 3-2 after initially trailing 2-0. Christian Pulisic was instrumental in the victory, scoring two goals, while an own goal also contributed to Milan’s tally. Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic scored both goals for his team in a losing effort.

Coming into the match, Milan was under pressure following a string of poor results, including three consecutive Serie A defeats and elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Feyenoord. Key players like Mike Maignan and Strahinja Pavlovic were suspended, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Emerson Royal were sidelined with injuries. Conceicao made some surprising choices in his starting lineup, initially benching Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, and Youssouf Fofana. Lecce, on the other hand, had been struggling for goals, failing to score in their previous four matches.

The game began dramatically, with Milan’s Theo Hernandez setting up Santiago Gimenez for a potential opening goal within the first minute, but VAR disallowed it for offside.

Despite Milan’s early pressure, it was Lecce who struck first. A misplaced pass in midfield allowed Nikola Krstovic to launch a counter-attack and score a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, ending Lecce’s goal drought.

Milan pushed for an equalizer, with Yunus Musah forcing a save from Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone. Matteo Gabbia had a goal disallowed for offside by VAR, mirroring Lecce’s earlier disallowed goal.

Lecce continued to threaten, with Krstovic and Santiago Pierotti both missing chances to extend their lead.

Just after halftime, Rafael Leao was brought on as a substitute for Milan. However, it was Lecce who scored again on another counter-attack. Tete Morente set up Krstovic for his second goal of the match, putting Lecce ahead 2-0.

Milan found a way back into the game when an own goal by Antonino Gallo, deflecting a shot from Joao Felix, reduced the deficit.

Soon after, Pulisic was fouled in the box, and he converted the resulting penalty, leveling the score.

Milan then completed the comeback when Leao crossed the ball to Pulisic, who scored a volley to secure a 3-2 lead and ultimately the victory for Milan.

Lecce 2-3 Milan: Match Summary

Goals: Krstovic (7′, 59′) for Lecce; Gallo own goal (68′), Pulisic (73′ pen, 81′) for Milan.