AC Milan hopes to conclude the first half of their Scudetto defence with a victory when they travel to Lecce on Saturday at Stadio Via del Mare after falling short twice in few days.
Milan wasted a huge chance to cover the lead with Napoli with a 2-2 draw against Roma last week. Moreover they also lost a crucial game against 10-man Torino in Coppa Italia round of 16. Meanwhile Lecce is currently in form and have beaten Lazio 2-1 last week to reach 11th position in the table.
Milan’s slip up against Roma allowed Juventus to take the second spot. However, Napoli is 7 points ahead of third-place Milan. Then, in their midweek loss to Torino, they played for nearly an hour with a man advantage before being stung deep into extra time and suffering their latest painful Coppa Italia exit: Milan haven’t won the trophy in more than 20 years.
On Saturday, they travel to Lecce to play, hoping to regain ground they lost to Napoli and Juve, Milan have won five of their last eight league encounters with Lecce, scoring 20 goals in the process, so history is undoubtedly on their side, even if recent performance isn’t.
Lecce has defeated Milan in only two of their 32 matches played in the top flight overall, and not since 2006. However, recent developments have some people believing they could challenge the Scudetto holders this weekend.
Making the most of home advantage could be essential in that regard, and given that Lecce has won their last two games at Via del Mare, it’s possible that they’ll win three straight top-flight games there for the first time in 19 years.
Milan Team news
Stefano Pioli, who might recall Olivier Giroud up front after another ineffective performance from Charles De Ketelaere in midweek. They are still without Ibrahimovic, Krunic, Rebic, and first-choice goalkeeper Maignan.
A number of players, including Ismael Bennacer and Theo Hernandez, are expected to return as the Rossoneri switch to their more accustomed 4-2-3-1 formation.
Milan could have at least two players taken off their lengthy injury list this weekend, even though influential midfielder Sandro Tonali will miss Saturday’s match due to a suspension brought on by accrued yellow cards. In addition to veteran defender Simon Kjaer, Origi has been sidelined with a muscular issue but is now back in full training.
Possible Lineup
Tatarusanu; Calabria, Tomori, Kalulu, Theo Hernandez; Bennacer, Vranckx; Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Leao; Olivier Giroud
Lecce Team News
Morten Hjulmand’s return from suspension will please Lecce manager Marco Baroni, and either Alexis Blin or Maleh will make room for the Danish midfielder.
Young forward Lorenzo Colombo, who is currently on loan from Milan and has been directly involved in more league goals this season than any other Lecce player should start up front.
Possible Lineup
Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Umtiti, Gallo; Blin, Hjulmand, Gonzalez; Strefezza, Di Francesco, Lorenzo Colombo
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