AC Milan secured a vital 2-0 win over Lecce on Sunday in an important boost for our hopes of a top-four finish in Serie A this season.
Having dropped out of the Champions League qualification places, it was imperative that the Rossoneri secured all three points this weekend to set the tone for the run-in.
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While it wasn’t a convincing or particularly inspiring performance, it was a victory. Ultimately, that was the most important thing and it’s hoped that now sparks an improved run of form in the coming weeks to put ourselves firmly back in the top four.
Rafael Leao was once again the difference maker for us with a brilliant brace, but we’ll need more from those around him moving forward as we look for a strong finish to the campaign.
AC Milan player ratings vs Lecce:
Mike Maignan, 6 – Didn’t have a great deal to do as we nullified Lecce’s attacking threat, but his distribution was swift and accurate to try and get us on the attack.
Pierre Kalulu, 6 – Good to see him get minutes but had his struggles at right-back at times with Banda also losing him at the back-post for a big chance in the first half. Hopefully something to build on.
Malick Thiaw, 6 – Alert and switched on throughout, did well reading the game to step in and intercept too but wasn’t particularly troubled.
Fikayo Tomori, 6.5 – Imposed himself well on the game, was a physical presence at the back to break up play and win possession.
Theo Hernandez, 6 – Always a willing runner and had energy to provide width and an attacking outlet, but not accurate enough when in more advanced positions to be decisive.
Sandro Tonali, 6.5 – Provided the delivery for Leao’s goal in a decisive moment in the game, and although he wasn’t as influential as he can be, played a key role in not only adding presence in midfield but also technical quality to build our play.
Rade Krunic, 6 – Almost made a costly mistake that led to a goal but that aside, another tidy performance both in terms of his defensive work and distribution on the ball in midfield.
Junior Messias, 5.5 – Similar story as despite plenty of endeavour and effort, he comes up short in terms of providing real quality in our attacking play. Offered very little in the way of a genuine threat in the final third.
Brahim Diaz, 5.5 – Improved in the second half but couldn’t find space against a stubborn Lecce defensive unit and that in turn limited his influence on our build-up play. Needs to be able to put himself in positions where his creativity and technical ability can influence the game.
Rafael Leao, 8 – Took both of his goals really well in another match-winning performance. A fine header to break the deadlock, and then showed his usual class with his direct running and pace to cause Lecce problems down that left side. Showed great composure and clinical play to bag his second.
Ante Rebic, 5.5 – Worked hard but unable to offer any sort of threat in the final third again. Whether it was his wayward hold up play or inability to provide a goalscoring presence up top, it was another disappointing outing.
Substitutes:
Alexis Saelemaekers, 6 – Limited in that after we went 2-0 up the game was practically over as a contest, but couldn’t really add much other than fresh legs and a solid work ethic.
Simon Kjaer, 6 – Used his experience and leadership well to keep things tight at the back in the latter stages and see out the win.
Ismael Bennacer, 6 – A solid shift as similarly to Kjaer, he came on and managed the game well and was defensively sound to help secure the three points.
Charles De Ketelaere, N/A
Divock Origi, N/A
