Milan's Aggression Proves Crucial In Comeback Victory Against Lecce, According To Conceicao

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AC Milan's recent triumph over Lecce in Serie A was a testament to their newfound aggression, as noted by Sergio Conceicao. Despite trailing by two goals within the first hour, Milan staged a comeback with Christian Pulisic scoring twice and an own goal from Antonino Gallo, securing a 3-2 victory. This win marked Milan's 1,500th in Serie A, following Juventus and Inter in reaching this milestone.

The victory was crucial for Milan, moving them within three points of the top six and ending a streak of three consecutive defeats across all competitions. Conceicao expressed satisfaction with the team's preparation, stating they had more time to understand Lecce's strengths and weaknesses. "We had two goals disallowed," he told DAZN. "In the second half we didn’t come in as we wanted and they scored the second goal."

Conceicao highlighted the importance of character in turning the game around. He introduced offensive players late in the match, which paid off. "I have to compliment the team for how they worked during the week with the right attitude that I really liked," he added. The team's losing streak included a Champions League exit against Feyenoord, but Conceicao sees a silver lining in having more training time.

Reflecting on their European exit, Conceicao remarked, "I like to work on the pitch." He acknowledged that while he wasn't pleased about being out of the Champions League, it allowed for increased focus on training. "Today the aggression and pressing that we wanted was higher," he noted.

Christian Pulisic's return to form was significant for Milan. After over a month without scoring, his performance against Lecce brought his total goal involvements in Serie A since joining to 34 (20 goals and 14 assists), surpassing any other Milan player during this period. Conceicao praised Pulisic's versatility: "He can play behind the striker or on the wings but coming inside is his best position."

Pulisic has netted eight league goals this season, four short of his tally from 2023-24. Reflecting on their current situation, Pulisic commented on its difficulty but emphasized team unity: "It’s a very difficult moment for us, and this was a very important victory," he said. "But we are a very united group; we demonstrated it with this very important win."

This victory not only boosted Milan's morale but also showcased their ability to adapt tactically under pressure. With renewed focus on training and tactical adjustments, AC Milan aims to build on this momentum as they strive for success in Serie A.