Stadio San SiroIf Milan have been unsteady in recent weeks, their next opponents, Lecce, have been a model of consistency, although not in the way their fans would like.
The Salentini have not won since January 11 when they surprised everyone by beating Fiorentina 2-1 at the Artemio Franchi.
Since then Lecce have lost seven times, plummeted to second from bottom in the table, and replaced their Coach, Mario Beretta, with Gigi De Canio.
The latter has only been in charge for two games and is yet to deliver the improvement the Salentini fans were hoping for.
As far as form goes, De Canio has inspired Lecce to a woeful 5-2 defeat at Palermo and a 2-2 draw at home to giant killers Atalanta.
The former QPR boss should be able to take a full team to Milan, although whether that makes a difference or not remains to be seen.
Lecce have only won twice away from home all season and the last of those victories came two and a half months ago.
Milan, meanwhile, are quite a handful at home. They have only suffered defeat on two occasions at San Siro this season.
The Rossoneri are far from a picture of health, though. They appear to be title challengers one minute and midtable battlers the next.
Carlo Ancelotti is at loggerheads with Vice-President Adriano Galliani and could leave for Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The former Juventus and Parma Coach wants two big signings this summer, while Galliani would like to cut the club’s budget by as much as 30 per cent.
Something has to give and the uncertainty and lack of direction at Milan these days is clearly affecting the players.
They currently lie in third place, 14 points behind League leaders Inter and seven points behind second placed Juventus.
What’s more worrying is the fact Milan might yet be dragged into a battle for fourth place with Fiorentina, Genoa and Roma.
The Rossoneri are only four points ahead of Genoa with nine games left this season. They still have to face Juventus, Roma and Fiorentina before the end of the campaign.
Watch out for Alexandre Pato (Milan) – When Pato was marginalised by Brazil Coach Dunga at the Beijing Olympics last summer, some thought the classy Milan striker might be unable to perform at the highest level. The 19-year-old has proved his critics wrong this season with a return of 14 goals in 22 starts and deserves to be considered as the brightest young attacking talent in world football.
Last five: Milan (W L W W D) Lecce (L L D L D)
Last season: Milan 2-1 Lecce
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Milan (probable): Dida; Zambrotta, Favalli, Maldini, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Pato, Inzaghi
Lecce (probable): Benussi; Polenghi, Stendardo, Fabiano, Esposito; Edinho, Ardito; Caserta, Giacomazzi, Tiribocchi; Castillo
Channel 4MILAN-LECCE: CARLO ANCELOTTI'S CALLED UP PLAYERS
MILANELLO - Here are the 18 Rossoneri players called up by Carlo Ancelotti for tomorrow evening's match against Lecce:
Dida, Kalac, Antonini, Favalli, Jankulovski, Maldini, Senderos, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Beckham, Flamini, Pirlo, Inzaghi, Kakà, Pato, Seedorf, Shevchenko, Ronaldinho.
Unavailable players: Abbiati, Bonera, Kaladze, Nesta, Cardacio, Gattuso, Borriello.
Players not called up: Mattioni, Emerson.
ACMilan.com
