Week 28: Milan – Roma
Serie A restarted and Milan beat Lecce 4-1. The game was not as easy as the score suggests, at least not in the first half where Milan did not make the best use of their chances and often shot straight at Gabriel in Lecce’s goal. Castillejo did open the scoring as Calhanoglu, the man of the match, provided the assist with a low cross. VAR came to Milan’s aid as Biagio Meccariello scored but was ruled offside on review. Lecce did tie the game in the second when Gabbia, on for the injured Kjaer, made the slightest of contacts with Khouma Babacar. But the game opened up soon after with quick goals by Bonaventura and Rebic and later Leao. The 4-1 score provides some optimism for the remaining games.
Roma provide a different opposition than Lecce of course. The game will be another small test for both teams coming back from football’s suspension due to COVID-19. Earlier in the week Roma beat Sampdoria 2-1 with two Edin Dzeko goals and are nine points and three spots above Milan.
Kjaer landed hard on his knee vs Lecce and couldn’t continue and for most of the week it seemed he would be facing a layoff but he is available and starting. His possible absence would have been a big problem as Musacchio is facing a few weeks or even months out after ankle surgery and Duarte has recurring problems and is few days away. Therefore the starting 11 will remain the same. Donnarumma in goal. Conti, Romagnoli and Hernandez with Kjaer in the back four. Bennacer and Kessie behind Calhanoglu, Bonaventura and Castillejo and Rebic as a lone center forward. Ibra is close to a return and could be ready as early as the next match day on July 1st when Milan travel to SPAL.
Follow the match as it happens, on the forum.