AC Milan vs Lecce: Serie A Showdown at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
As AC Milan prepares to host Lecce at the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 27, 2024, fans and pundits alike are eager to witness what promises to be a captivating Serie A encounter. Both teams have had a mixed bag of results this season, making this match crucial for momentum.
Injury Woes and Team News
AC Milan heads into the match with a few notable absences. Ismael Bennacer is sidelined until 2025 following a calf operation. Marco Sportiello will miss out due to a hand injury, and Alessandro Florenzi is also unavailable after undergoing knee surgery. The team faces additional uncertainties regarding the fitness of Davide Calabria, who picked up an injury before the Inter game. However, Malick Thiaw has recovered from an ankle sprain and could be available for selection.
Paulo Fonseca’s recent strategies have kept everyone guessing, especially his bold decision to field four forwards—Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, Tammy Abraham, and Alvaro Morata—in their win against Inter. However, Morata is doubtful for the Lecce match due to bursitis.
Lecce, on the other hand, has their own injury concerns. Jeppe Corfitzen and Mohamed Kaba are recovering from cruciate ligament injuries, while Joan Gonzalez, Nicola Sansone, and Medon Berisha are expected to miss the match. Frederic Guilbert is also suspended, adding to the challenges for Luca Gotti.
Expected Lineups
Predicted AC Milan XI (4-2-3-1):
Maignan; Emerson, Gabbia, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Abraham.
Predicted Lecce XI (4-2-3-1):
Falcone; Pelmard, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo; Ramadani, Coulibaly; Morente, Oudin, Dorgu; Krstovic.
Key Players to Watch
AC Milan:
- Christian Pulisic: The American winger has been in stellar form, boasting three goals and two assists in five Serie A appearances this season.
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek: The English midfielder adds immense value with his dribbling skills and physical presence, having played 372 minutes across five matches with a rating of 7.06.
- Rafael Leao: The Portuguese talent continues to be a threat on the flanks with his pace and dribbling, having clocked 14 successful dribbles in the current season.
Lecce:
- Santiago Daniel Pierotti: Although he has played fewer minutes, his impact has been notable with a rating of 6.86.
- Antonino Gallo: A consistent performer in defense, Gallo’s contributions will be crucial in keeping Milan’s attackers at bay.
Form Guide
AC Milan comes into this clash on the back of a dramatic 2-1 victory over Inter, a result that showcased their resilience. Their recent form reads: Inter 1-2 Milan, Milan 1-3 Liverpool, Milan 4-0 Venezia, Lazio 2-2 Milan, and Parma 2-1 Milan.
Lecce’s form has been patchy at best, managing a draw against high-flying Torino but faltering in recent matches. Their last five results are: Lecce 0-2 Sassuolo, Lecce 2-2 Parma, Torino 0-0 Lecce, Lecce 1-0 Cagliari, and Inter 2-0 Lecce.
Prediction
In my opinion, AC Milan is favored to win, while a draw is equally likely at 45%. Lecce stands as the underdogs with a low chance of taking the three points.
Historical Context
Historically, AC Milan has been dominant in this fixture. Past encounters have seen Milan triumph with scores like 3-0 and 4-0. The last match on April 6, 2024, ended with Milan winning 3-0, emphasizing their superiority in this matchup.
Conclusion
This Serie A clash promises to be an intriguing battle as both teams look to secure crucial points. AC Milan will aim to build on their recent win against Inter, hoping to surge up the table, while Lecce will be desperate to turn their fortunes around. With star players like Pulisic, Leao, and Loftus-Cheek in action, and the resilience of Lecce, fans at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza are in for a treat.
