Rafael Leao was decisive with two magic moments, a rare header and run from his own half, as Milan disposed of Lecce to resume winning ways in Serie A.
The Rossoneri held Napoli midweek to set up a Champions League semi-final showdown with Inter, but needed to get back on track in Serie A after draws with Bologna and Empoli. Juventus getting their 15-point penalty revoked also pushed them down to fifth place. Olivier Giroud, Tommaso Pobega and suspended Davide Calabria missed out, while Lecce had just one point from the last seven rounds.
Wladimiro Falcone got down quickly for a save on Sandro Tonali, then the referee awarded a penalty for Federico Baschirotto’s tackle on Theo Hernandez, but changed his mind after the VAR review as the Lecce defender clearly got the ball.
Lecce almost scored moments later, as Lameck Banda nodded onto the far post from point-blank range.
Milan tried to pick apart the Lecce defence, but needed a set play as a corner was taken short for Sandro Tonali’s cross floated to the back post, finding a towering Rafael Leao header. Curiously, the Portuguese talent has scored only two headers in the Rossoneri jersey and the other was also against Lecce in June 2020.
Baschirotto’s header on a corner was cleared in the six-yard box by Junior Messias, while Brahim Diaz fired straight at Falcone after good work from Ante Rebic.
Gabriel Strefezza came off the bench and lit Lecce up, a rocket from distance palmed over the bar by Mike Maignan, then Rafael Leao rode two tackles only to over-hit the dinked finish over Falcone.
Leao did not make the same mistake twice, as he started the run from inside his own half and placed the angled drive through Baschirotto’s legs into the far bottom corner for 2-0.
Milan 2-0 Lecce
Leao 40, 76 (M)
Player statistic
| Malick Thiaw |  |
27' | ||
| Rafael Leão (Assist: Sandro Tonali) |
 |
40' |
| Rafael Leão | |
75' |
Match statistic
