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2 vs 0
Played
March 11, 2012 2:00 PM GMT
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — Milano
Referee:‬ A. De Marco‎
Attendance:‬ 54329‎
 
Top of the Match
Mark van Bommel
Mark van Bommel
AC Milan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
AC Milan
Flop of the Match
Massimo Oddo
Massimo Oddo
Lecce
Massimo Oddo
Massimo Oddo
Lecce

AC Milan 2-0 Lecce: Nocerino and Ibrahimovic edge Rossoneri into prime position to retain Scudetto crown

Massimiliano Allegri's men put in a professional performance at home to tighten their hold on top spot in Serie A, increasing their lead over Juventus to four points

By Martin Macdonald

A goal in either half from Antonio Nocerino and Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw AC Milan stretch their lead at the top of the table to four points after a 2-0 victory over Lecce at San Siro.

The hosts made their intentions clear early on in the game through slick passing and movement in the final third, and they took the lead through a wonderful team goal after seven minutes.

Robinho found a pocket of space just in front of the Lecce box and chipped a delightful pass over the defence for Ibrahimovic, who flicked a reverse ball to the edge of the box for Nocerino.

The 26-year-old then showed superb technique to half-volley a strike into the corner, albeit thanks to a deflection off the back of Leonardo Miglionico.

Milan came close to doubling their lead seven minutes later but Lecce were let off due to an excellent save from goalkeeper Massimiliano Benassi.

The away defence were all over the place at the back, with the home side spraying the goal with a barrage of shots that were blocked. The ball eventually found its way to Urby Emanuelson who whipped a shot at goal, but Benassi was there to beat the ball away to safety.

Robinho and Ibrahimovic nearly managed to score later on in the first half, both attempting audacious chips over Benassi, but neither strike found the target and Lecce managed to keep the score down going in to half-time.

Lecce came relatively close to equalising five minutes after the break when Valeri Bojinov drove towards goal and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot towards the top corner, but Christian Abbiati's positioning was spot on, and he managed to parry the ball away.

Despite the earlier scare, Milan dominated proceedings in the second half, and doubled their lead in the 65th minute thanks to a cracking strike from Ibrahimovic.

Robinho clipped a cross into the area for Emanuelson, who headed the ball back in to the path of the Swede, and he lashed a strike into the top corner, with Benassi having no chance.

The hosts saw out the victory with composure, with Lecce being a relative attacking non-entity in the match. The result sees AC Milan stay at the summit of Serie A, four points clear of Juventus. Serse Cosmi's side remain in the relegation zone, and must continue to fight for survival.



AC Milan

32
Christian Abbiati
Goalkeeper
3.00
20
Ignazio Abate
Defender
3.50
25
Daniele Bonera
Defender
3.00
4
Thiago Silva
Defender
3.00
77
Luca Antonini
Defender
3.00
-
Mark van Bommel
Midfielder
3.50
4
Sulley Ali Muntari
Midfielder
62′
2.50
8
Antonio Nocerino
Midfielder
7′
3.50
8
Urby Emanuelson
Midfielder
65′
3.00
18
3.50
7
Robinho
Striker
78′
3.00

Lecce

3.50
81
2.50
5
2.50
32
3.00
-
2.50
-
2.50
26
Manuele Blasi
Midfielder
3.00
91
2.50
29
3.00
24
Muriel
Striker

Substitutes

1
Marco Amelia
Goalkeeper
0.00
76
0.00
-
Djamel Mesbah
Midfielder
0.00
10
3.00
23
0.00
18
0.00
92
3.00

Substitutes

0.00
25
0.00
22
Luca Di Matteo
Midfielder
81′
3.00
-
3.00
-
0.00
28
Ignacio Piatti
Midfielder
0.00
-
0.00
-

Coach/Manager

Coach/Manager

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  • Goal
  • Own Goal
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  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Edinson  Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli
29 7
Antonio Di Natale Antonio Di Natale
Striker
Udinese
23 4
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Pablo Daniel Osvaldo
Striker
Roma
16 2
Stephan El Shaarawy Stephan El Shaarawy
Midfielder
Milan
16 0
Germán Denis Germán Denis
Striker
Atalanta
15 5