Lecce-Empoli 1-0.at the Via del Mare stadium. Salentini at 32 points, Tuscans stuck at 28 points.
When the curtain was about to fall, the Apulian Giallorossi found the goal that decided the survival clash with the Azzurri and relaunched themselves in the standings.
The direct battle for staying goes to the home team. Both teams are aiming for salvation. In the first leg, played at Castellani, there was a 1-1 draw.
Empoli starts he also manages to find the goal with Cerri, but the goal was disallowed after a long VAR check due to a handball by Caprile at the start of the play, the goalkeeper had left his own penalty area with the ball in his hands. The hosts threaten themselves several times without ever hitting the big target, Dorgu, Baschirotto and Piccoli try, the conclusions are out of proportion even if only slightly. The Tuscans responded with Cancellieri, who provided the assist for Cerri on the occasion of the goal which was then disallowed, Nicola’s attacker also author of a beautiful overhead kick which ended just wide. Very balanced match.
In the second half Caprile (11′) saves on a header from Baschirotto then in the 18th minute Gallo breaks through to the left and serves Oudin: right footed but deflected, Via del Mare gasps. The Giallorossi lay siege to the Tuscans while Nicola, little by little, makes his team move further and further back. However, it is Falcone (37′) who sweeps the area with his feet after a general misunderstanding by three Lecce defenders. When it seemed that the match was heading towards a goalless draw, Pierotti stole the ball from Walukiewicz and widened it for Sansone who placed the ball into the empty net. The Via del Mare is bedlam and remains so until the final whistle.
The formations
Lecce: Falcon; Gendrey, Pongracic, Baschirotto, Gallo; Ramadani, Blin; Almqvist, Oudin, Dorgu; Little ones
Empoli: Caprile; Bereszynski, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Gyasi, Zurkowski, Marin, Bastoni, Pezzella; Cancellieri, Cerri
Maurizio Mariani of Aprilia refereed, assistants Valerio Colarossi of Roma 2 and Francesca Di Monte of Chieti. Ermanno Feliciani of Teramo the IV man; Paolo Mazzoleni from Bergamo the Var and Daniele Paterna from Teramo the Avar.
John the Evangelist/LaPresse
Lecce vs Empoli – Serie A Tim 2023/2024
The match
Sprint start of the guests who took the lead in the 5th minute. Cancellieri frees himself from the left and crosses towards the near post, Cerri slips behind Baschirotto and extends his foot, the conclusion caroms over Falcone’s knee and then enters the goal. But the goal was annulled, after a long check at the VAR, due to a previous foul by the Italian goalkeeper Caprile. The Tuscan goalkeeper had left his penalty area with the ball in his hands
Substantial balance on the pitch between Lecce and Empoli until the 20th minute when Caprile himself was called upon to make a great save. The Tuscan goalkeeper reflexively sends Dorgu’s header into a corner.
As the minutes passed Lecce plays the game, the hosts manage pace and possession of the ball, Empoli waits in an orderly manner in their own half of the pitch.
At 28′ opportunity of the advantage for the Tuscans. Free kick for Empoli, Marin kicks hard but the conclusion is blocked by the well-placed barrier by Falcone.
At 34′ it’s the Tuscans to have the opportunity to score the lead. Spectacular conclusion with an overhead kick by Cancellieri which ends just wide, a thrill for Falcone who saves himself by a matter of centimetres.
Another shiver for the Salento goal in the 38th minute, Falcone first saves on Pongračić’s unfortunate deflection, avoiding an own goal, then rejects Cerri’s attempt.
The hosts they raise the level of the game at the end of the first half and in the 44th minute they hit the outside of the crossbar. Following the development of a corner, Pongračić touches his head, a tackle for Piccoli, the attacker manages to anticipate Caprile but hits the woodwork, then the referee whistles for an attacking foul, nothing happens, we start again with a free kick for the ‘Empoli.
After 3′ of added time teams in the locker rooms with a goalless draw.
Starting to resume the hosts try to pressure the Tuscans who are closed in their own half of the pitch.
In the 58th minute there was an opportunity for Lecce. Corner kick taken by Oudin, Baschirotto jumps higher than anyone, precise header and super save by Caprile who saves.
Pinwheel of substitutions for both teams.
One more action Salento attack in the 64th minute. Gallo’s initiative, the full-back breaks through into the left lane, skips two opponents then throws for the insertion of Oudin, the attacking midfielder shoots with power but the conclusion ends up over the crossbar.
Thanks to the changes carried out from the 75th minute, Empoli tries to gain ground, raises the center of gravity, allowing the defenders who have been struggling until now due to the offensive pressure from the Lecce attackers to breathe.
All’80’ the Giallorossi close to a possible advantage. On the development of a free kick, Sansone’s conclusion was blocked by the Empoli defence.
On the opposite front, opportunity wasted by Empoli in the 82nd minute. Precise assist from Marin who catches Niang in the penalty area, the French attacker slips at the moment of conclusion, Baschirotto manages to stop the dangerous action by moving the ball away.
All’89’ Lecce takes the lead with Sansone. Pierotti, as soon as he entered, touched Walukiewicz behind the first ball, arrived in front of Caprile and instead of kicking, he served Sansone, completely free to put the ball into the net.
After 5′ injury time, the referee’s final whistle: Lecce-Empoli 1-0 at the “Via del Mare”.
LaPresse
Lecce vs Empoli – Serie A
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Lecce Stadium, Via Del Mare – Fans