Chukwueze assist not enough as Milan blow huge lead at lowly Lecce

Nigerian forward Samuel Chukwueze was back in the starting lineup for AC Milan as the Rossoneri blew a two-goal lead away at 14th-placed Lecce in Serie A.

Milan were two goals up at half-time but lost the lead to two second-half Lecce goals to drop points for the fourth time in a row in the league.

Goals from Nicola Sansone and Lameck Banda helped the home side overturn Milan’s 2-0 lead established after goals from Olivier Giroud and Tijjani Reijnders.

Having lost pace with Serie A leaders and fierce rivals Inter in recent weeks, Milan were hoping to make a statement with a win over Lecce and started the better side in the tie. 

The Rossoneri took the lead just before the half-hour mark, through Giroud’s powerful header, and doubled their lead when Reijnders scored a brilliant finish into the bottom corner a few minutes later. 

Milan went into the interval with a comfortable lead and thought they were cruising to an easy victory, but the second half proved a much different affair for the Rossoneri. 

With the game going past the hour mark, Lecce struck twice in quick succession, netting in the 66th and 70th minutes to level the tie at 2-2. 

Milan’s problems became even worse as striker Giroud was sent off in additional time for confronting referee Rosario Abisso over a potential penalty. 

The Rossoneri also had their blushes spared in extra time, as Roberto Piccoli’s late winner was ruled out by VAR, allowing AC Milan to claim a point when they could have easily lost all three.