Indomitable Minnows

Massimo Ambrosini

Lecce 1 Milan 1

When we think about Lecce, do we conjure the image of a side that are gritty and a toughie? Do they appear a team that can't be beaten at home by an European giant? I suppose not. However, that is precisely the image that Lecce have given the Rossoneri. 5 years and counting; we still struggle to overpower the Salentini.

Flamini was handed a start with Seedorf being pushed into a trequartista role after previously flopping in a central midfield role. Allegri tried Bonera at left back, an experiment that would have interested every viewer. This selection resulted in Bonera cutting into his favored foot and not running the channels as a proper left back would. In the first half, Lecce defended deep, allowing Milan free space in the midfield. It took Bonera 23 minutes to float in his first cross. Ambrosini's rusty form continued in this game. His tackles weren't clean nor did he appear sharp in the holding role. Nesta's performances have come under much criticism lately and with this outing, his critics would have grinned with glee. The veteran was constantly caught out of position and Lecce's shoddy forwards were running riot. Milan full-backs tried to cross, but only in vain. Both full-backs failed their targets in the box and instead lost possession in promising positions. However, the team continued to play wide. The first cross connected on the 40' after 39 minutes of sending in poor balls with a shocking lack of precision. Milan's forwards only charged at goal when provided with space. However space was hard to find with Lecce defending very deep.

Often in such situations, we rely on some Ibracadabra magic. And it did arrive on the 49'. Zlatan shot from an almost impossible angle to score one of the goals of the season. Being jostled by a defender on one side and running right into another, Zlatan shot from 35-40 yards out with his weaker foot, looping the ball over the keeper. A visual spectacle. Pato enjoyed a snooze fest for 70 minutes and was rightly replaced in the 71' for Cassano. This was the first game in which Cassano would be employed as a second striker for his new club. The away side failed to score the decisive second and Lecce made them pay. Oliveira punished some sloppy defending by Nesta to draw the home side level with 8 minutes to go. Cassano's arrival on the pitch had injected more spirit in the side. A sense of urgency was found in the players. A special mention must go to Abate who with his consistent performances has emerged as a reliable right back. Cassano's partnership with Ibrahimovic threatened Lecce's defense a lot more than Pato's partnership with Ibrahimovic did. Gattuso and Flamini ran their hearts out characteristically. Ambrosini's sub-par performances have definitely questioned his inclusion in the team. Would there have been a greater impetus in midfield had an attacking midfielder been played over the captain?

Milan - Ibrahimovic 49'
Lecce - Oliveira 82'