almost, but not yet

Lecce 1 Milan 1
Via Del Mare. One of the places the Diavoli don't like to visit. They had to visit it this time, and were compelled to continue the string of impressive results. It wasn't going to be easy. Psychological disadvantage and all that. But a good number of players in the playing 11 weren't part of the nightmarish visits previously, so it was a clean slate. That probably explains the reasons why Milan played like champions.

The gulf in quality was evident from the start. Milan distributed the play well, and they dominated possession too. Borrielo had impressed me from the beginning of the season, but his finishing yesterday was awful. He had a handful of chances, but he just refused to take them. We could have put this game to bed by the 20th minute, but our man here was squandering away chances. Lecce started to grow with confidence thereon, and the creaky defense of Bonera and Favalli started showing signs of frustration. Milan were playing the best football they had played all season, but they lacked in the final third. Borrielo was missing chances that a striker of a club of Milan's stature should've been putting away. Borrielo's lack of quality was evident through the first half, and he was absolutely shocking, especially on the chance presented to him on the 36th minute.

53rd minute, Kaka had a great chance when he was one on one with the keeper. But his final touch was a tad bit heavy. Wave after wave of Milanese attack was meted with awful finishing. Ronaldinho and Jankulovski had their share in attack. Lecce were holding onto the game with all they had, and wanted to leave the game with atleast one point. Borrielo was still making the same mistakes inside the box. Ancelloti realised that the current tactics will only make his team look good,and that wasn't enough.. So he brought on Inzaghi and Pato for Borrielo and Flamini. This found immediate effect as the cross from Pato found Ronaldinho, and the Brazilian in his goal scoring form wouldn't miss. And he dint. But that wasn't the end of it. Lecce did manage to tap into one of Milan's many defensive flaws - high balls. A wonderfully flighted free kick found Espesito and he put the ball into the Milan net just moments before the final whistle.

Abbiati would be disappointed to leave the Mare without a cleansheet. Zambrotta was fantastic and has been in good form so far. Gattuso, the way he is currently playing is probably the best holding midfielder on the planet. Kaka is showing signs of being considered by FIFA for World Player of the Year 2009. Ronaldinho was effective to say the least, but his goal scoring mania is all that counts for at the moment.
I would probably be the happiest Milan fan after this result. What a performance by Milan! Exceptional in attack. If not for Borrielo, we would have seen Lecce massacred. Also at the end of the game, seeing Galliani infuriated was a delight. There is great resolve and determination in this team. And despite this result, boy am I happy to see that.

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=DDnkFJMbkYM&eurl=http://www.footytube.com/

Goalscorers -
Lecce - Esposito (93')
Milan - Ronaldinho (80')