Serie A | Milan 1-0 Lecce: Fullkrug’s first goal guarantees success

Niclas Fullkrug came off the bench and met the Alexis Saelemaekers cross for his first Milan goal, which finally broke down Lecce’s defences for a precious victory.

The Rossoneri consolidated second place with a midweek rescheduled Week 16 trip to Como, where they won 3-1 thanks to the Adrien Rabiot brace against the run of play. Santiago Gimenez was the only absentee, as Christian Pulisic returned to the starting XI, but Luka Modric and Youssouf Fofana were rested. Lecce had one point from five rounds, though that was a surprising 1-1 draw away to Juventus and they lost 1-0 at San Siro to Inter on Wednesday. Francesco Camarda’s shoulder injury prevented him facing his parent club, with Medon Berisha also out, Kialonda Gaspar and Danilo Veiga suspended. Lameck Banda and Ylber Ramadani returned from bans.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Alexis Saelemaekers curled wide from the edge of the area, while Rafael Leao had the ball in the net only after wandering offside on a Saelemaekers pass.

Tiago Gabriel made a decisive interception to prevent Pulisic tapping in the Saelemaekers roll across, then the pair did successfully combine for the American’s angled drive parried by Wladimiro Falcone’s legs at the near post.

Antonino Gallo threw himself in the way of a Saelemaekers effort inside the area after the restart, with Matteo Gabbia’s free header over form the resulting corner.

Pervis Estupinan also blasted over from distance, but Falcone got down for a fantastic reaction save to fingertip the Samuele Ricci daisy-cutter round the base of the near post.

Falcone was even more impressive moments later, denying Pulisic who was sent clear on goal by a perfectly-weighted Leao first-time pass.

Rabiot ballooned over from nine yards on the Estupinan roll across, then Ruben Loftus-Cheek was surprised by the Rabiot knock-back and couldn’t steer it in from close range.

The siege eventually paid off, as Gabbia’s long ball sent Saelemaekers down the right and his cross found the glancing Fullkrug header from five yards. It was the former West Ham United striker’s first goal in the Milan jersey after his January transfer, and he had only been on the pitch for three minutes.

Saelemaekers went off with a muscular issue soon after, while Christopher Nkunku was too slow to make the most of the inspired Luka Modric pass.

Falcone made another big save in stoppages, denying Nkunku from point-blank range on a Rabiot roll across.

Milan 1-0 Lecce

Fullkrug 76 (M)