Milan is approaching the quarterfinals of the Europa League in the best possible way, which they will play against Roma. The Rossoneri defeated Lecce 3-0 and thus have seven consecutive victories in all competitions, reinforcing their second place (+9 over Juventus) and leaving their qualification for the next Champions League secured.
The game immediately went downhill for Pioli, who started with Pulisic and Chukwueze together with Leao behind Giroud. The former Villarreal player starred in a quick personal play in the 6th minute and gave the ball up front to the American, who with a perfect shot already scored 13 goals in his first season as a Milan player, the best of his career.
Giroud increased the lead with a corner taken by Adli in the 20th minute and Gotti’s team tried to wake up with González, who hit the crossbar with a header. The Leccese reaction attempt ended before the break due to a dangerous, although involuntary, kick from Krstovic to Leao, which cost the forward a direct red card.
With numerical superiority, Milan were able to manage the score without problems and finish the job with Leao. The Portuguese, in the 58th minute, took advantage of a through ball with Adli and won one-on-one with Falcone without any problems.
After the goal, Pioli was able to start saving his energy, although Theo, with a spectacular shot from distance, hit the crossbar, barely touching one of the most beautiful goals of the season. The Rossoneri reach the decisive phase of the season in their best moment.
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Changes
Pontus Almqvist (45′, Lameck Banda), Roberto Piccoli (45′, Joan González), Simon Kjær (60′, Matteo Gabbia), Yunus Musah (61′, Christian Pulisic), Luka Jovic (61′, Olivier Giroud), Valentin Gendrey (69′, Lorenzo Venuti), Medon Berisha (76′, Alexis Blin), Ismaël Bennacer (77′, Tijjani Reijnders), Filippo Terracciano (82′, Théo Hernández), Santiago Pierotti (84′, Patrick Dorgu)
Goals
1-0, 5′: Christian Pulisic2-0, 19′: Giroud3-0, 56′: Rafael Leao
Cards
Referee: Luca Massimi
VAR referee: Valerio Marini, Paolo Valeri
Angry (33′, Yellow), Nikola Krstovic (44′,Roja), Chukwueze (77′, Yellow)