Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
On the Stadio Through del Mare, Milan staged a rare second-half comeback to defeat Lecce 3-2, securing an important Serie A victory after a troubling run of kind. Christian Pulisic emerged because the hero, scoring a decisive brace, whereas Rafael Leao’s introduction at halftime injected the attacking spark wanted to overturn a two-goal deficit.
The Rossoneri entered the match underneath immense strain following three consecutive league defeats and elimination from the Champions League by the hands of Feyenoord. With Mike Maignan and Strahinja Pavlovic suspended, supervisor Sergio Conceicao made daring selections, leaving Joao Felix and Leao on the bench.
The match began at a frenetic tempo, with Milan practically opening the scoring throughout the first minute. Theo Hernandez arrange Santiago Gimenez for what appeared like a simple tap-in, however VAR dominated it offside. Nonetheless, the house aspect rapidly took full benefit of Milan’s vulnerability, as Nikola Krstovic beat the away goalkeeper emphatically. It was Lecce’s first purpose in Serie A since January 31, breaking a 366-minute drought.
Milan struggled to reply, with Gimenez lacking key possibilities and Matteo Gabbia’s equalizing volley dominated out for offside by VAR. At halftime, Conceicao reacted decisively, bringing on Rafael Leao to inject vitality into the assault. The Portuguese winger’s presence was instantly felt, as Milan practically pulled one again when Gimenez’s intelligent flip and shot struck the bottom of the publish.
Leao’s affect and Pulisic’s heroics encourage Milan’s revival
Nonetheless, Milan’s uphill battle grew to become even steeper when Lecce struck once more. With the Rossoneri now trailing 2-0, their hopes of ending their poor run appeared to be fading quick.
However then, the comeback started. Tammy Abraham, enjoying supplier, launched Leao down the left wing, and his cutback was met by Joao Felix. The Portuguese ahead scuffed his shot, however the ball deflected off Lecce defender Antonino Gallo and into the web, handing the Crimson and Blacks a lifeline.
Simply minutes later, Milan was awarded a penalty when Pulisic was introduced down contained in the field. After lacking his final penalty kick for the primary time in his profession, the 26-year-old USMNT attacker sprang up with confidence this time, and rifled the penalty into the highest of the purpose. Out of the blue, the guests had all of the momentum.
Dramatic end: Pulisic completes the turnaround
With Lecce now on the ropes, got here the decisive second of the sport. Leao whipped in a pinpoint cross to the again publish, the place Pulisic was completely positioned. With precision and composure, the U.S. worldwide cushioned a volley with the within of his proper boot, sending the ball previous the goalkeeper and finishing Milan’s gorgeous turnaround.
For the American star, it was an evening of redemption, having netted his first league purpose from open play since October 22, whereas Leao and Felix’s second-half affect proved invaluable. Gimenez, in the meantime, was unfortunate to not discover the web regardless of a number of promising makes an attempt and must await the following recreation.
