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AC Milan had to dig deep to get all three points against Lecce, but they eventually found a bit of quality to edge the game 1-0 at San Siro.
The only goal of the game came with 15 minutes left on the clock, with substitute Niclas Füllkrug on hand to head home a brilliant Alexis Saelemaekers cross from close range. On the balance of play it was deserved, but that goal certainly brought some relief.
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Starting XI
Maignan (6): Had one of if not his quietest evening of the season. Didn’t have a save to make, which after his heroics in Como will have been very welcome for the Frenchman. Solid enough in build-up.
Tomori (6): Like his colleagues in the central defensive department, his work was limited to the few forays in transition. Did fine with those. A little bit shaky late on with some of his playing out of the back, but nothing too incriminating.
Gabbia (6.5): Handled Stulic well in what threatened to be quite a physical duel. Reading of service into the box was good. Not given much of an examination at all, then the ball over the top to Saelemaekers before Füllkrug’s goal was a beauty.
De Winter (6.5): Probably the most impressive of the three centre-backs because he got the most involved in the possession phase. Perhaps could have scored from a corner that bobbled around, but was generally another solid start for the Belgian.
Saelemaekers (7 – MOTM): His intensity and energy was noticeable all night. Constantly moving and looking for openings. It looked like it was all going to be for nothing, but then that cross from the byline for Füllkrug’s goal cements him as the top performer.
Ricci (6): A bit of a mixed bag. He did some tidy work in both phases and he couldn’t be accused of hiding, but nor did he try anything too brave despite being more free than Jashari in the mezzala role.
Jashari (6.5): A contender for his best start yet. He won the ball back effortlessly at times and was an effective shield to make it a quiet night for the defence. Could sometimes take more risks with his passing, yet this was a step forward.
Rabiot (6.5): The hero of Thursday night was a little bit more subdued this evening, but he looked like the leader of the midfield again. Could have had at least one assist with his cut-backs from the left side. Did some work defensively that will go unnoticed too.
Estupinan (6): It feels hard to judge his performance, because despite the fact he saw plenty of the ball and was as involved as in any previous start, the end product just wasn’t really there. This was sometimes because of his
Pulisic (6): It was another frustrating night for the American. Looked quite sharp in his movement, but then got that one big chance from Leao’s through ball and was denied by an excellent save. Get the feeling it hasn’t fully clicked with the Portuguese yet, though that moment was a sign of what is to come.
Leao (6): As mentioned, should probably have had a lovely assist in what was an otherwise up and down game for the Portuguese. Looked listless at times then sprung into life. Appeared more threatening when he drifted wide, and he clearly still can’t sprint at 100%.
Substitutes
Loftus-Cheek (5.5): Chances fell to him which he didn’t take, and it could have been a much less nervy ending. His size was useful late on though.
Füllkrug (7): The match-winner. Exactly why he was brought in: one chance, one goal off his head. Proof that against the low block having someone like Füllkrug is a real weapon.
Athekame (N/A): Didn’t do enough to judge.
Nkunku (5): Had a couple of opportunities to exploit the space in behind and wrap it up. Missed from Rabiot’s cut-back, then seemed to be through on goal but checked back and was tackled.
Modric (N/A): Didn’t play enough, but could have had an assist with a lovely outside of the boot long ball to Nkunku.
The manager
Allegri (6.5): It was 15 minutes from being yet another case of dropped points against a struggling side. Yet, the coach deserves praise for preparing a dominant game plan, and for knowing the time was right to put Füllkrug in to bash down the door.
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