Lecce secured a crucial three points in the Serie A relegation battle with a 1-0 victory over Pisa at the Stadio Via del Mare on Friday night. Nikola Stulic's first goal for the club since his summer move from Charleroi proved the difference in what was a tense encounter between two sides fighting for survival.
Early setback for Di Francesco's plans
Eusebio Di Francesco's game plan suffered an early blow when Medon Berisha was forced off with an injury just seven minutes into the match. The midfielder had to be carried off on a stretcher, with Mohamed Kaba introduced as his replacement after just ten minutes.
Despite the disruption, Lecce gradually took control of proceedings. The hosts dominated possession and created the better chances in the first half, with Santiago Pierotti coming closest following a cutback from Riccardo Sottil on the byline.
Set pieces proved particularly dangerous for Lecce. Two close efforts came from the same corner midway through the first half, while Tiago Gabriel headed off target from close range just before the interval. Despite their dominance, the home side couldn't find a breakthrough before half-time.
Stulic ends his drought
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Lecce pressing for the opening goal. The decisive moment came in the 72nd minute when Lameck Banda received the ball on the left flank. The Zambian winger beat his marker in a one-on-one situation before delivering a precise cross to the back post.
Stulic, who had replaced Francesco Camarda earlier in the half, was perfectly positioned to convert from close range. The Serbian striker's emotional celebration, sliding to the turf in front of the home supporters, reflected the relief of finally getting off the mark in Serie A.
"It meant everything to score my first goal," Stulic said after the match. "We needed this victory desperately, and I'm happy to have contributed."
Pisa's misery continues
For Pisa, the defeat extended their miserable run of form. Inzaghi Pippo's side have now gone three consecutive matches without scoring and sit in 18th place with just 10 points from 15 games. Their return to Serie A after a 34-year absence has been nothing short of a struggle.
The visitors failed to register a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes, with Wissam Falcone a virtual spectator in the Lecce goal. Their best opportunity came late on when Arturo Calabresi headed wide from a corner, but by then the game was already beyond them.
Implications at both ends of the table
The victory moves Lecce up to 13th place with 16 points, the same as Atalanta who face Cagliari on Saturday. More importantly, it opens up a six-point gap to the relegation zone, providing Di Francesco's men with breathing room as the winter break approaches.
At the top of the table, the Serie A title race remains finely poised. AC Milan, Napoli, and Inter Milan are separated by just a single point, with Max Allegri insisting that Inter and Napoli remain the favourites despite Milan sitting top of the standings.
"Inter and Napoli finished second and first last season, so it's normal that they are the favourites," Allegri said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's clash with Sassuolo. "We are on a journey, and we must believe we can do our best."
Vardy's remarkable Italian adventure
In other Serie A news, Jamie Vardy continues to defy expectations in Italy. The veteran English striker has been named Serie A's Player of the Month for November after an outstanding run of form with Cremonese. His goals have been crucial in keeping the newly promoted side competitive in their first top-flight campaign.
What's next
Lecce's next fixture presents a significant challenge as they travel to face Inter Milan in January, with the match postponed due to the Nerazzurri's Supercoppa commitments. Their next league action comes on December 27 against Como.
For Pisa, the search for points becomes increasingly desperate. They face Cagliari on Sunday, December 21, in what is becoming a must-win fixture in their battle to beat the drop.
