Sergio Conceicao must find a way to start winning games, as AC Milan will look to beat US Lecce when the two sides meet on Saturday.
It is a game of two teams seeking relevance in their respective spots on the Serie A table, and in the case of US Lecce, they are here to widen the gap with the relegation zone when they host AC Milan this weekend. Currently sitting in 16th place, Marco Giampaolo’s men are only three points of 18th-placed Empoli in the standings, as they will need a positive result at the weekend to keep a safe distance.
Lecce have a solitary win in their last seven Serie A games, and that victory came against fellow relegation strugglers Parma. Since then, they have gone on a winless run of four games without scoring a goal and losing their last two in the process. The latest of those games was against Fiorentina, as an early Robin Gosens strike proved enough for the Viola to take all three points.
For Giampaolo, this game against his former club must represent a chance to distance themselves from the relegation zone, as Lecce should take advantage of the Rossoneri’s plight. There are many challenging games to come; hence, one should not discount the looming threat of relegation for the Serie A strugglers as they face a wounded Milan side.
Sergio Conceicao’s stocks are falling now compared to the glowing start to life he had as AC Milan’s new manager. Having been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Feyenoord, the Rossoneri have lost each of their last three league games since, making the idea of competing for a top-four place untenable.
Conceicao’s side are currently in ninth place, some 11 points behind fourth-placed Juventus, making climbing back up to a Champions League spot look tricky. For Milan, the immediate concern would be to get back on winning ways, and they might have the perfect opportunity against a struggling Lecce side.
The end-of-the-season run-in must be strong for Milan to finish well this season. However, there is a sense of losing the fight for European qualification, although they can still access the Europa Conference League or Europa League spots. That is not to say that in a challenging season and one of constant twists, there is still a slim chance for them to finish in the top four, although that would need a perfect run from Milan.
Team News & Tactics
US Lecce
Marco Giampaolo does not have too many problems with his squad ahead of the clash with AC Milan, as only long-term absentee Filip Marchwinski remains sidelined for the Serie A strugglers. Meanwhile, Thorir Helgason should overcome a bout of illness to make the starting lineup in the attacking midfield slot.
Lecce could also welcome key attacker Santiago Pierotti back into the starting eleven after he missed the narrow defeat to Fiorentina last time out. Frederic Guilbert and Antonino Gallo should be the starting full-backs for Lecce, with skipper Federico Baschirotto and Gaby Jean occupying the central defensive roles.
Lecce’s central midfield pairing will ideally be Balthazar Pierret and Lassana Coulibaly, with Helgason occupying the No.10 role. Pierotti’s return from a problem will see him occupy the right wing slot, with Tete Morente taking up the left side of the attacking third as Nikola Krstovic leads the line for Lecce.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Falcone; Guilbert, Baschirotto, Jean, Gallo; Pierret, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Helgason, Morente; Krstovic
AC Milan
AC Milan may not have fresh injury problems ahead of this trip to Lecce. Still, Conceicao must deal with the suspensions of goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Strahinja Pavlovic ahead of this clash. Marco Sportiello is the ideal solution for deputising for the former.
One of Fikayo Tomori or Malick Thiaw should partner Matteo Gabbia at the heart of the defence. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal, and Alessandro Florenzi are all out for the foreseeable future. Kyle Walker could be back in contention for the starting spot after returning to the pitch as a substitute against Lazio.
Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders are the ideal choices for the central midfield spot, while Joao Felix might continue in Milan’s No.10 role. Sergio Conceicao is unlikely to look beyond his attacking front three of Christian Pulisic, Santiago Gimenez and Rafael Leao for this clash.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sportiello; Walker, Gabbia, Thiaw, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Felix, Leao; Gimenez
Key Stats
- Lecce have failed to score in their last four matches in Serie A.
- AC Milan are undefeated in their last 13 matches against Lecce in all competitions.
- AC Milan have scored at least two goals in their last nine matches against Lecce in all competitions.
- AC Milan have lost their last three Serie A games.
Player to Watch
Kyle Walker
AC Milan have felt Walker’s absence over the last few games, and while the veteran full-back did play half the minutes against Lazio, Sergio Conceicao will see his return as a big boost. The Manchester City loanee provides vital leadership skills and an overall superior level in different aspects, and Milan could benefit from having him in the lineup.
It is not a coincidence that the Rossoneri lost their last three games, with Walker starting neither. He does bring defensive solidity at the back, which in turn allows the AC Milan attackers to play differently in the final third, as they have a sense of security behind them when they attack the other box.
Prediction
US Lecce 1-2 AC Milan
The Serie A strugglers may have another testing period on the pitch, as the hosts are the favourites to lose this one against AC Milan. The home side have some attacking issues, having not scored in their last four games. Yet, the prediction points to Lecce scoring at some stage, although that may not prove enough to secure a win or even a single point.
On the other hand, AC Milan are not in a good phase, as this game against Lecce could not have come at the right time. The Rossoneri will be looking for a win to get back on track, and Sergio Conceicao will be eager to get back in the race to secure a European place, and a win here would be a good place to begin. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Conceicao and his charges.
