Leao double keeps AC Milan's top-four hopes alive
Rafael Leao scored a deadly double as Milan returned to winning ways in Serie A and boosted its Champions League qualification hopes with a 2-0 victory over Lecce.
Stefano Pioli's side reached the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday (AEST) after a 2-1 aggregate win over Napoli, but its recent domestic league form had left much to be desired.
The Rossoneri had managed just one win in their last six league games, but Leao scored in each half on Sunday at San Siro to halt that slide against their relegation-threatened visitors.
Victory moved Milan level on points with fourth-placed Roma, which visits Atalanta on Tuesday, and three behind Juventus after the Bianconeri's 15-point deduction was reversed.
Wladimiro Falcone pushed away an early 25-yard drive from Sandro Tonali before Theo Hernandez thought he had won a penalty for Milan.
Daniele Chiffi pointed to the spot after a Federico Baschirotto tackle on Hernandez, only for the referee to reverse his decision after consulting the VAR and touchline monitor.
Lecce's Lameck Banda squandered a glorious 19th-minute opportunity when heading onto the left post from close range, and Milan punished that miss five minutes before the break.
An inventive short-corner routine allowed Tonali to cross towards the back post, where Leao towered above Valentin Gendrey to head into the left corner.
Leao wastefully chipped over after 73 minutes, but he made amends a minute later with a fine individual run and a low left-footed drive that went in off the right post.
