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March 11, 2012 2:00 PM GMT
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — Milano
Referee: A. De Marco
Attendance: 54329
AC Milan
AC Milan
Lecce
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.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
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
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Edinson Cavani Striker Napoli |
29 | 7 |
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Antonio Di Natale Striker Udinese |
23 | 4 |
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Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Striker Roma |
16 | 2 |
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Stephan El Shaarawy Midfielder Milan |
16 | 0 |
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Germán Denis Striker Atalanta |
15 | 5 |

