Lecce 1-1 Milan: Late Olivera Goal Denies Rossoneri Victory

It was the 19^th minute before either side actually attempted a proper effort on goal. Unfortunately for Mathieu Flamini, his low strike deflected off team-mate’s Clarence Seedorf’s knees and behind for a goal kick.

Gennaro Gattuso and Alexandre Pato both unleashed long-range efforts as Milan struggled to break through Lecce’s stubborn resistance, but neither player appeared to have their shooting boots on as they both failed to hit the target.

The Giallorossi’s Carlo Grossmueller then decided to get in on the act with his own strike from distance in the 27^th minute. However, the Uruguayan’s shot made the preceding efforts look good as he sliced through the ball and almost hit the corner flag.

The match finally began to open up in the final 10 minutes or so and David Di Michele had the ball in the Milan net in the 38^th minute, but the referee had already awarded the Rossoneri a free-kick for a Jeda foul on Thiago Silva.

It was at this stage that the visitors injected a little urgency into proceedings, and Pato, Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva all attempted to break the deadlock. A combination of poor finishing and strong defending meant there would be no breakthrough and the sides went in level at the break.

It seemed certain that it would take a moment of magic to break down Lecce’s stubborn resistance. But in Ibrahimovic, Milan have a player capable of such sorcery. And the super Swede conjured a stunning opener in the 49^th minute when he chased down a Daniele Bonera clearance and let the ball once before unleashing a perfect left-footed volley which sailed over Antonio Rosati’s head to make it 1-0.

After Milan had worked so hard to get in front, they almost threw it away ten minutes later when indecision at the heart of the Rossoneri defence allowed substitute Guillermo Giacomazzi a in on goal, but Marco Amelia shot up a hand to make a crucial block and preserve his side’s lead.

However, there was little Amelia could do when, in the 82^nd minute, Olivera hooked home Di Michele’s outswinging corner to restore parity.

Milan went on the offensive in search of a late winner, but found the Lecce defence in no mood to concede a second goal. Gustavo made a superb block to deny Seedorf, while Rosati produced a fine stop to thwart Ibrahimovic, whose snapshot from 10 yards looked destined for the net.

The Swede then headed an Antonio Cassano free-kick over the crossbar in the fourth minute of added on time, seconds before the referee blew his full-time whistle to ensure the sides would have to be content with a share of the spoils.

Lecce face another daunting fixture when they travel to Florence to meet Fiorentina next Sunday afternoon. Milan, on the other hand, have the perfect opportunity to continue their quest for their first Scudetto since 2003-04 when they host Cesena - another bottom four side.

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