AC Milan came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against Lecce at the Stadio Comunale Via del Mare in Serie A on Saturday.
A disastrous first half saw the Rossoneri trail and they were clinging on at the interval, before Rafael Leao and Davide Calabria brought them level after the break, but they were unable to find a winner.
Lecce made a dream start, as with only three minutes on the clock Milan defender Theo Hernandez turned the ball into his own net from a looping cross. Federico Di Francesco came within inches of doubling the lead a few minutes later, but his low effort was just wide of the post.
A first half of Giallorossi pressure soon paid off again as Lecce raced into a 2-0 lead midway through the first period, as a corner was worked back out Morten Hjulmund, and his teasing cross was nodded home by Federico Baschirotto.
The hosts ought to have been out of sight when Joan Gonzalez raced clear and sent in a cross to the unmarked Valentin Gendrey at the back post, but he somehow headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Milan‘s best chance of the first half came as Tommaso Pobega found space to bring the ball down on the edge of the box and unleash an effort, but it whistled just over the bar.
Rossoneri striker Olivier Giroud also forced a save on the stroke of halftime with a header that was tipped over the bar, as the Frenchman failed to connect properly.
Second half comeback saves Rossoneri
Milan made a bright start to the second half and pulled a goal back before the hour mark when Leao tucked home after Wladimiro Falcone had parried a Giroud shot into his path.
Just 10 minutes later, the champions were level as they began to take control of proceedings. The dangerous Giroud headed back across goal from a Pobega cross, and the leaping Calabria nodded the ball home via the inside of the post.
Despite Milan‘s dominance in the second half, they almost threw it away late on as Gendrey burst into the box and cut back, with the ball coming off Rossoneri defender Fikayo Tomori and bouncing inches wide of the far post.
Unconvincing Milan focus on Supercoppa Italiana
The draw leaves Milan nine points behind leaders Napoli, and their hopes of retaining their Serie A crown appear to be dwindling, particularly in light of the Partenopei’s imperious form.
Stefano Pioli‘s side have laboured since the World Cup break, with a fumble against Roma last weekend from a two-goal lead followed by elimination in the Coppa Italia at the hands of Torino on Wednesday.
Milan must turn their attention to the Supercoppa Italiana against Inter in midweek, as they fly out to Saudi Arabia, in search of the first piece of silverware of the season.
