Lecce vs AC Milan Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

AC Milan will be desperate to return to winning ways in Serie A when they take on Lecce at Stadio Comunale Via del Mare on Saturday.

The dreaded international break is nearly upon us. But the latest round of fixtures across Europe will precede the fortnight-long period, with Matchday 12 kicking off in Serie A. The action on Saturday will begin with the game between Lecce and AC Milan at Stadio Comunale Via del Mare.

Lecce came into the 2022/23 season after narrowly avoiding relegation from Serie A, finishing 16th, just five points clear of the drop zone. But they have marginally improved this term, losing only four of their 11 outings thus far. However, Roberto D’Aversa’s charges come into the game on the back of a seven-game winless run.

On the other hand, AC Milan barely made it to the top four after Juventus’s points penalty helped them. Stefano Pioli’s men have improved this season and are currently fourth on the table. But they have failed to win their last three Serie A games, with the most recent fixture ending in a shock defeat at home to Udinese. However, the Rossoneri bounced back this week with a crucial victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.

The reverse fixture last season saw AC Milan come from two goals down to hold Lecce to a 2-2 draw, with Davide Calabria earning his team a point. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Lecce

Roberto D’Aversa has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against AC Milan on Saturday, the Lecce manager will be bereft of the services of two first-team players.

Pontus Almqvist is the latest absentee, with the Swedish attacker sustaining a hamstring injury last weekend against AS Roma. Jeppe Corfitzen is the only other player on the sidelines, with the 18-year-old recovering from a shoulder injury.

Wladimiro Falcone should take his spot between the sticks, with Lecce lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him. The defensive unit should feature Federico Baschirotto, Marin Pongracic, Antonino Gallo, and Valentin Gendrey.

As for the midfield department, the onus will be on Ylber Ramadani to keep things tight and protect the defenders. Mohamed Kaba and Hamza Rafia will complete the numbers in the middle of the park, with the duo providing the forward thrust. Finally, Nikola Krstovic will spearhead the Lecce attack against AC Milan, with Lameck Banda and captain Gabriel Strefezza being the wide attackers.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Pongracic, Gallo; Kaba, Ramadani, Rafia; Strefezza, Krstovic, Banda

AC Milan

Like his counterpart in the Lecce dugout, Stefano Pioli has new issues to deal with ahead of the trip to Stadio Comunale Via del Mare. The AC Milan manager will be without at least six first-team players on Saturday.

Christian Pulisic (muscle injury) is the latest absentee from the most recent league fixture. The USMNT international has joined Marco Sportiello (calf), Marco Pellegrino (heel), Pierre Kalulu (thigh), Mattia Caldara (ankle), and Ismael Bennacer (knee) in the treatment room.

In addition, Simon Kjaer faces a race against time to determine his availability to take on Lecce this weekend. Kjaer will likely miss out, with Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori forming the central defensive unit. Davide Calabria and Theo Hernandez should be the two full-backs, with Mike Maignan taking his spot between the sticks.

As for the midfield unit, Rade Krunic will play the anchor role, looking to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tijjani Reijnders will provide defensive support to Krunic while bringing the creative impetus from the centre of the pitch.

Meanwhile, Pulisic’s absence means Samuel Chukwueze will have the chance to make his mark. The former Villarreal winger will join Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao in the offensive unit.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek, Krunic, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Giroud, Leao

Key Stats

• AC Milan are unbeaten in their last 10 meetings with Lecce. The Yellow and Reds have drawn more Serie A games against the Rossoneri than any other side (W2 D12 L20).
• AC Milan have scored at least 2 goals in their last 6 matches against Lecce in all competitions.
• Lecce have failed to win their last seven matches in league and cup.
• AC Milan have lost two of their last three games (D1), as many as in their previous 19 (W13 D4).
• Rafael Leao has scored in his last three appearances against Lecce.

Player to Watch

Olivier Giroud

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Olivier Giroud has had an intriguing spell thus far with AC Milan. As has been the case with most of his clubs, the veteran striker has blown hot and cold, usually going on long spells without finding the back of the net. But he tends to deliver the goods in clutch situations more often than not.

That side of Giroud’s game surfaced this week as AC Milan beat Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. The Rossoneri will look for more of the same from the Frenchman as they aim to embark on a winning run in Serie A. And with AC Milan in the market for a striker, Giroud will be eager to make his mark and retain his spot for the long haul.

Prediction

Lecce 1-2 AC Milan

Meetings between Lecce and AC Milan have gone in the visitors’ favour in the last few clashes. While Lecce’s home record against the Rossoneri is decent, they have not emerged victorious in the last ten fixtures featuring the two teams.

But with AC Milan showing a soft underbelly in recent outings, Lecce will feel a point or three are there for the taking. However, while the hosts will give Stefano Pioli’s men a run for their money, the Rossoneri should have enough quality to clinch a narrow victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the away side on Saturday.