Crimson Wall: The Last Defender

December 21, 2003 — Stadio Via del Mare, Matchday 14

Southern Italy greeted Milan with a deceptive calm. The air in Lecce was unusually warm for late December, but the pitch at Via del Mare was heavy, sun-dried in patches and soft in others. The fans packed the compact stadium with flags waving and drums pounding. It wasn't the grandeur of San Siro, but it vibrated with local pride.

Luca Bellini stepped onto the field and squinted up at the sun. He tugged his jersey, rolled his shoulders. This match had trap written all over it.

Milan were tired. Three games in eight days. Travel. Midweek Coppa Italia. Still, they were top of the table — and expected to stay there.

In the warm-up, Gattuso barked at everyone to wake up. Kaká joked with Shevchenko to ease the tension. Luca jogged in silence, his thoughts centered.

The message was clear: survive the fatigue. Strike early if possible. Don't slip before Christmas.

—

**Formation:** 4-3-1-2

Ancelotti went back to his core lineup. Dida in goal. Cafu, Luca, Nesta, and Maldini across the back — the definitive four.

Pirlo resumed his role in the pivot. Gattuso and Seedorf flanked him. Kaká in the hole behind Shevchenko and Inzaghi.

Lecce, 13th in the table but tough at home, played a 4-3-3:

Sicignano in goal. Abruzzese, Stovini, Ledesma, and Tonetto in defense. Cassetti, Piangerelli, and Giacomazzi in midfield. Chevantón and Valdés flanked Vugrinec.

Luca had read his opponent reports:

— Chevantón cuts in often

— Vugrinec hangs on the shoulder

— Tonetto overlaps from deep

The game plan? Win duels early. Dictate.

—

Kickoff.

Lecce exploded out of the blocks. They pressed higher than expected. In the 4th minute, Tonetto surged past Cafu and crossed dangerously. Vugrinec met it — Nesta blocked. Corner.

Milan responded. Seedorf turned past Giacomazzi and sprayed the ball to Kaká. The Brazilian flicked it through to Shevchenko — offside.

In the 9th minute, Lecce stunned them.

Chevantón intercepted a poor clearance from Maldini, darted inside, and smashed a shot into the top corner.

1–0 Lecce.

The home fans erupted. The drums grew louder.

Luca gathered the team. "Settle. Stick to the plan."

Maldini gave him a nod. Nesta clapped his gloves.

In the 14th minute, Milan answered. Pirlo chipped over Lecce's line. Inzaghi ran in behind and squared it back. Kaká arrived late — first-time finish.

1–1.

Calm restored.

—

The match settled into a gritty rhythm. In the 21st, Valdés tried to break through on the left. Luca matched his run, waited, and dispossessed him clean.

In the 26th, Pirlo won a free kick.

He floated it toward the back post. Luca made a late surge — rose above Ledesma — but his header flew over.

Close.

In the 33rd minute, Lecce countered fast. Vugrinec sprinted between the center backs. Nesta slipped.

Luca covered instantly, sliding across to cut off the angle. Vugrinec tried to pass — blocked by Luca's boot.

Commentator: "He reads it faster than most can blink. Bellini's instincts are something else."

—

In the 38th, Milan took the lead.

Seedorf intercepted a pass and found Shevchenko in space. The Ukrainian cut inside Stovini and unleashed a rocket.

2–1 Milan.

The players didn't celebrate wildly. They knew the job wasn't done.

—

Halftime.

Ancelotti: "Good recovery. But don't relax. Chevantón won't stop running. Keep the middle tight."

Luca sat, drinking slowly. He looked down at his shin guards. One had a scuff.

From Chevantón. He liked it. It meant the duel was alive.

—

Second half.

The sun dipped behind the stands. Shadows stretched across the field.

Lecce came again. In the 48th, Giacomazzi launched a long ball over the top. Vugrinec ran on — Dida rushed out, misjudged it.

The ball bounced loose.

Luca sprinted and cleared it with his left before Valdés could tap in.

A roar of relief from the bench.

Nesta slapped his back. "That's you."

In the 54th, Cafu broke forward. One-two with Kaká. The Brazilian crossed — Inzaghi darted near post — flicked it just wide.

The game stayed open. Lecce refused to yield.

In the 63rd minute, Pirlo lofted a pass to Shevchenko. Chest control, turn, volley.

Goal.

3–1 Milan.

This time, they celebrated.

—

In the 70th, Ancelotti made changes. Serginho for Maldini. Ambrosini for Seedorf. Tomasson for Inzaghi.

Luca stayed on. Always.

In the 75th, Chevantón again found space. He cut inside Cafu and unleashed a curling shot.

Dida saved it. Luca cleared the rebound.

In the 81st, a Lecce free kick.

Giacomazzi curled it in. Stovini got a touch — the ball deflected off a leg — past Dida.

Own goal.

3–2.

Nervous energy returned.

The final ten minutes were war. Long balls. Duels. Cramped midfield.

Luca made two tackles, one interception, and shouted constantly.

"Push out!"

"Watch the wide run!"

In the 89th, Lecce launched one last cross. Tonetto sent it high into the box.

Luca leapt with everything he had.

Cleared.

Full time.

Milan 3 – Lecce 2.

Another tight escape.

—

Locker room.

Ancelotti smiled tiredly. "Three points. Now rest. Napoli trip for Christmas. You earned it."

Luca lay on the physio table, one leg iced.

Kaká walked over. "Dinner tomorrow?"

"With the group?"

"With you, me, and… Sofia?"

Luca blinked. "Maybe."

Kaká grinned. "You're worse than Pippo at timing."

—

Notebook:

December 21 — Milan 3, Lecce 2

Minutes: 90

Tackles: 4

Blocks: 2

Clearances: 6

Header: close

Error: none

Leadership: verbal rising

Sofía: texted 'Sun suits you.' Maybe it does.