Lecce were dramatically denied a come-from-behind victory but still put the brakes on AC Milan’s attempt to reignite their Serie A title charge as second-half goals forced a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Via del Mare.
With Milan hoping to exploit Lecce’s own floundering form, Olivier Giroud finished off a swift team move before the half-hour and Netherlands international Tijjani Reijnders plundered his first Diavolo goal to double their advantage.
But Nicola Sansone and Lameck Banda hit back after the break with two goals in four minutes and although Roberto Piccoli will feel aggrieved his solo goal at the death was ruled out, Lecce did enough to arrest their own slide for now.
AC Milan’s Noah Okafor keeps his eye on the ball
Stefano Pioli’s Milan responded to a four-game winless run featuring three defeats by beating European Cup rivals Paris St Germain at San Siro in midweek, but making a prompt return to winning ways in the league was imperative, with Inter Milan and Juventus pulling clear in the top two and an improving Napoli side breathing down their necks in fourth.
However, the northerners suffered an early setback in Puglia as with only 10 minutes played key forward Rafael Leao – on target against PSG on Tuesday – left the pitch with a thigh injury.
His replacement Noah Okafor made a quick impact by setting up Tommaso Pobega for a powerful shot from distance that Wladimiro Falcone showed fine reflexes to repel.
Milan did break through in the 28th minute. Okafor and Theo Hernandez linked up down the left side before a neat cross found Giroud, with the Frenchman taking his time to pass Federico Baschirotto before beating Falcone.
Seven minutes later it was 2-0 thanks to a first Serie A goal for Reijnders, who ran on to Samuel
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