Following a rather tough win against Fiorentina last week, AC Milan faced Lecce at home in a game that looked easier on paper and proved to be so, with a 3-0 victory the end result.
Milan got a hold of the game pretty quick with Christian Pulisic opening up the scoring just six minutes in and then Olivier Giroud doubled the lead in the 20th minute with a flick from a corner.
Things got worse for Lecce with Nikola Krstovic earning himself a red card in the 45th minute and Rafael Leão scored the third goal to pretty much seal the win just before the hour mark.
It was a professional performance with one eye on Thursday’s game against Roma in the Europa League, and it keeps second place safe. Here are five observations from the game…
1. Take-off at last
Samuel Chukwueze started off the game really well and provided the assist for Pulisic’s goal after showcasing his dribbling abilities as he beat his man effortlessly before passing to the American.
The Nigerian has done really well recently, and he is starting to show why he was Milan’s most expensive summer signing as the talent is clearly there and he can improve further as well.
Admittedly with a bit more composure he could’ve gotten a goal too, but despite that it was a solid performance and continuity is key for the winger after the tough start to the season.
In addition to that, it is vital that Pioli has all of his forwards firing as we enter the business end of the season, given the hectic nature of the schedule.
2. Commanding in the middle
Yacine Adli has had less playing time as of late but he was back in the starting XI against Lecce and did not disappoint, playing in front of the defensive line.
The Franco-Algerian worked hard and opened up a lot of space for his team-mates whilst also dictating the game well, as evidenced by his two assists for Giroud and Leao.
His second assist for the Portuguese winger was especially brilliant as it showcased not just his vision but his passing abilities that allowed him to execute a long-range through ball.
That pass drew comparisons with Rui Costa’s over two decades ago, and it was the highlight of a very solid display by Adli who continues his positive season. There’s still plenty of room for improvement too, given his age.
3. New role? No problem
Christian Pulisic started as an attacking midfielder given that Ruben Loftus-Cheek was suspended and Chukwueze was deployed on the right flank.
The position itself isn’t new to Pulisic who has played there plenty of times for his country, and he did not disappoint. He picked up a goal with a lovely bit of technique on the edge of the box and could have had another if his header deep inside the box weren’t tipped over.
Pulisic also display high work rate in both phases of the game helping Milan bring balance to their game. He might find himself used in that role more often, though RLC is back and has been excellent in that position.
4. Finding consistency
Leao has been struggling this season for continuity and with finding the back of the net specifically, but he has been a different player since the turn of the year.
The winger has been scoring both domestically and in Europe whilst also continuing to rack up assists, turning himself into the classic double threat that many thought he was capable of being.
Whilst he was a tad quiet in the first half, he looked more lively in the second making that lovely run on Adli’s pass and then getting his goal. one which certainly improved his mood as he was more proactive after it even hitting the woodwork.
It is really good to see the former Lille man consistently performing and being a game changer, something Milan will need if they want to win the Europa League.
5. Ship turned around
Stefano Pioli has had a rollercoaster of a season with a very bad period between October and December that pretty much got Milan out of the title race, causing plenty of fans to call for his head.
However, since then in 2024 Pioli has managed to bring stability to his side as they started winning points more consistently despite not playing the most impressive football.
In recent weeks, however, the football itself has improved and Pioli’s Milan even have one more point more now compared to the same stage in the Scudetto-winning season.
It is a pity that a bad period got the team out of both the Champions League and the title race, where Inter have been more or less flawless this season, but second place and a run to the UEL final in Dublin no longer seems a distance mirage.
It will be very interesting when Pioli’s job gets evaluated this summer, because the number of positives might just catch up with the factors playing against him.
