MILAN (AP) — AC Milan let slip a two-goal lead for the second time in three league matches and in addition misplaced key participant Rafael Leao to damage in a drama-filled 2-2 draw at Lecce in Serie A on Saturday.
Milan seemed to be heading for its first league win in additional than a month following targets from Olivier Giroud and Tijjani Reijnders however Lecce drew stage within the second half with two targets in 4 minutes from Nicola Sansone and Lameck Banda.
Lecce had what would have been a stoppage-time winner dominated out by the video assistant referee, moments after Milan ahead Giroud was despatched off.
Milan remained third however shall be overtaken by Napoli if the defending champion beats Empoli on Sunday.
Milan hoped to get again on monitor in Serie A after ending a winless run with a 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Rossoneri had been already with out quite a few gamers, together with United States standout Christian Pulisic, and its damage disaster deepened when Leao limped off within the tenth minute.
His substitute Noah Okafor had a hand within the opening aim within the twenty eighth minute as he performed a one-two with Theo Hernandez, who then reduce into the field and crossed for Giroud to chest in from point-blank vary, marking his one hundredth look for Milan with a aim.
Milan doubled its lead seven minutes later with an outstanding solo aim from Reijnders, who raced downfield from close to the midway line earlier than firing previous Wladimiro Falcone for his first aim for Milan since becoming a member of from AZ Alkmaar within the offseason.
Reijnders virtually did the identical three minutes later however hit the appropriate publish.
Milan had let a two-goal, halftime lead slip in a 2-2 draw at Napoli on the finish of October and the identical was to occur at Lecce.
Lecce coach Roberto D’Aversa made a triple change within the 63rd minute, bringing on Alexis Blin, Sansone and Roberto Piccoli and that proved a masterstroke.
Blin nodded on a nook three minutes later for Sansone to faucet in and the latter was additionally concerned within the equalizer as he touched on Piccoli’s cross for Banda to fireside into the far backside nook.
Sansone virtually scored the winner 5 minutes from time however his header got here off the left publish after which rolled throughout the face of the empty aim.
There was extra drama to return as Giroud was despatched off in stoppage time, receiving two yellow playing cards in a matter of seconds for steady dissent.
Piccoli then appeared to have scored with a shocking long-range strike to ship the house followers wild and he was surrounded by celebrating teammates, however their pleasure turned to dismay when it was dominated out for a foul by the younger ahead on Milan defender Malick Thiaw.
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