US LECCE NEWS

Lameck Banda - Ruled out for Genoa game Banda is out for Friday's tilt versus Genoa due to a thigh injury, Lecce announced.

Impact Banda got hurt in practice and is undergoing examinations. His coach hinted that the issue might be substantial and sideline him for a while. Gabriel Strefezza is the next man up in his role. Nicola Sansone and Remi Oudin can also play on the flanks.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Beaten once by Monza Falcone registered four saves, two clearances, and two punches, and allowed one goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Monza.

Impact Falcone conceded on a slick shot by Andrea Colpani but caught everything else, especially late in the game when Monza laid siege. He has made 13 saves, kept one clean sheet, and surrendered four goals in four tilts. Lecce will face Genoa at home Friday.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marin Pongracic - Fills it up in Monza contest Pongracic generated one tackle (zero won), three blocks, 12 clearances, and two interceptions in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Monza.

Impact Pongracic and the other Monza defenders were under great pressure after Federico Baschirotto's expulsion but managed to land the place despite the one-man disadvantage and a few clear-cut chances for the opponents. He has notched four tackles, five interceptions, and 20 clearances in four games, with one clean sheet.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hamza Rafia - Swings in five crosses versus Monza Rafia recorded five crosses (one accurate), two duels, one block, and one tackle (one won) in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Monza.

Impact Rafia paced his team in deliveries, although not with great touch, despite getting pulled pretty early after getting booked. He might have to split time with Remi Oudin once his new teammate gets in shape. He has scored once added four shots (one on target), eight crosses (one accurate), and seven tackles. Lecce will face Genoa at home Friday.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Passable in Monza game Banda won five duels, drew three fouls, and generated two shots (two on goal) and three crosses (one accurate) in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Monza.

Impact Banda put his speed to good use again but wasn't part of the lone goal for his side, and the Monza defenders found a way to contain him as the game progressed. He has tallied two goals, nine chances created, eight shots (five on target), and nine crosses (three accurate) in four matches.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pontus Almqvist - Draws five fouls against Monza Almqvist created one scoring chance, won six duels, drew five fouls, and had one clearance in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Monza.

Impact Almqvist didn't log many stats in the key categories but was mighty tough to slow down for the opponents and caused a PK in the early going thanks to a clever play. He has quickly established himself as a key starter. He has scored once and logged three key passes, three crosses (one accurate), and five shots (three on target). Lecce will face Genoa at home Friday.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Krstovic - Shows up again in Monza match Krstovic drew three fouls and scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Monza.

Impact Krstovic found the target right away thanks to a penalty kick and wasn't too involved afterward. He's already up to three goals, seven shots (three on target), and three key passes in three games. Lecce will face Genoa at home Friday.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Baschirotto - Sent off against Monza Baschirotto had four clearances and one interception before receiving a straight red card in Sunday's match versus Monza.

Impact Baschirotto put up numbers as usual but was expelled for a studs-up tackle early in the second half. He's unlikely to get more than a standard punishment. Alexis Blin moved from the midfield to the defense following the sanction and could start in relief against Genoa. The alternative is newcomer Ahmed Touba.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kastriot Dermaku - Suffers muscular injury Dermaku picked up a thigh problem in a friendly during the break, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.

Impact Dermaku avoided major issues but hasn't been able to train fully after getting hurt and will have to skip a game or two. He didn't play in the first three games as he's the fourth/fifth man in the back.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nicola Sansone - Signs with Lecce Sansone has agreed to a two-year contract with Lecce, the team announced.

Impact Sansone spent the summer as a free agent after not being confirmed by Bologna but eventually managed to find another team in Serie A. He'll mentor his younger teammates and occasionally contribute off the bench, especially following the departure of Federico Di Francesco. He was still serviceable in the past campaign, tallying four goals, two assists, 22 shots (eight on target), and 20 crosses (six accurate).

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Whips in five crosses Banda recorded two shots (one on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 2-0 win over Salernitana. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 42nd minute.

Impact Banda led the team in crosses Sunday, whipping in five before being subbed off in the 71st minute. The 22-year-old has been very important to Lecce's unexpected great start to the season, notching two assists, nine chances created, six shots and six crosses in his first three games. He wasn't the player Lecce wanted last season, only compiling three goal contributions in 35 starts, but seems to be a much-improved player after his start to the season this year.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ylber Ramadani - Five shots in win Ramadani recorded five shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 2-0 win over Salernitana.

Impact Ramadani had another active day in the attack, registering five shots and two chances created in the game. The 27-year-old has started all three matches so far this season and has been a huge part of getting their two wins, notching five or more shots in two of those matches. He has yet to score a goal despite taking so many shots, but could be in line for one if he keeps up this production.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Valentin Gendrey - Notches assist Gendrey assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-0 win versus Salernitana.

Impact Gendrey earned his assist early on in the match, finding Nikola Krstovic in the sixth minute for the first goal of the game. He is already halfway to his assist tally from last season after only registering two. The French defender clearly had his best match of the season against Salernitana after only having two crosses, one tackle and five clearnces through his first two games. He should be a common sight in the starting lineup after getting the start in 35 matches last seaosn.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gabriel Strefezza - Registers goal as substitute Strefezza scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Salernitana.

Impact Strefezza only appeared as a substitute in the 71st minute but still made his mark on the match by scoring a penalty in extra time. The Brazilian had started the two previous games but was sent to the bench for Sunday's matchup. He was their normal starter all of last season, making 35 appearances, and should continue in that spot with Lameck Banda joining him up front.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Krstovic - Scores against Leece Krstovic scored one goal to go with five shots (one on goal) and two chances created in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Salernitana.

Impact Krstovic got on the board early on in Sunday's match, registering his goal in the sixth minute of the win. The 23-year-old now has a goal in both appearances this season after scoring against Fiorentina in his last match. His role in the squad is still up in the air due to him only joining the club in mid-August, but his latest two performances could see him gaining a starting spot soon.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Secures clean sheet Falcone made four saves and secured a clean sheet in Sunday's 2-0 victory versus Salernitana.

Impact Falcone had a great day in net, making four saves on his way to a clean sheet. The 28-year-old didn't have the best start of the year, allowing two goals while making five saves in his first two starts, but recovered today as he picked up a clean sheet against Salernitana. His next match will be against Monza, who has scored two goals in three games this season.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Roberto Piccoli - Transfers to Lecce Piccoli has moved to Lecce on loan from Atalanta after starting the season with Empoli, the clubs announced.

Impact Piccoli was expected to spend another campaign at Empoli, but Lecce targeted him to have another physical striker on top of Nikola Krstovic, and Empoli just re-upped with Mattia Destro to replenish their depth. He featured 13 times (six starts) from January on last season, scoring twice and adding 12 shots (six on target), four chances, and one inaccurate cross.

AUGUST 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Venuti - Unused in second round Venuti (shoulder) didn't play in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Fiorentina.

Impact Venuti shook off a shoulder injury, but he's behind a rock-solid starter at his position, Valentin Gendrey, so he'll have to wait for his next opportunity.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Krstovic - Excellent during debut Krstovic scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Fiorentina.

Impact After signing with Lecce in mid-August, Krstovic was set to make his team debut later this month. After sitting out against Lazio on Aug. 20, due to the date being too close to his signing, he debuted Sunday and scored Lecce's second goal. Ideally for Krstovic, his latest performance is a sign of what will come from him in the future.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Logs multiple assists Banda assisted twice to go with one shot (zero on goal), one cross (one accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's draw versus Fiorentina.

Impact Banda logged the assist to both of Lecce's goals, scored by midfielder Hamza Rafia and substitute Nikola Krstovic. The starting winger has already surpassed his 2022-23 Serie A assist tally, which was one across 36 appearances. Banda needed only two games to log multiple assists across the 2023-24 Serie A.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hamza Rafia - Scores goal Rafia scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Fiorentina.

Impact Rafia has his first goal of the 2023-24 Serie A only two matches into his Lecce career. Though his first-division sample size is small, it is promising for the time being. With his performance Sunday, Rafia is expected to have secured a regular spot in Lecce's starting XI.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Concedes two goals Falcone recorded two saves but conceded two goals in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Fiorentina.

Impact Falcone conceded goals from Alfred Duncan and Nicolas Gonzalez. The goalkeeper will try to redeem himself in September, beginning with Lecce's home game against Salernitana next Sunday.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Starting against Juventus Banda is fit and in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Juventus.

Impact Banda was forced off in the opening match of the season with an ankle injury, but has recovered in time to start Sunday. The forward had just three goal involvements in 36 league appearances last campaign.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ahmed Touba - Transfers to Lecce Touba has joined Lecce on loan with a conditioned obligation to buy from Istanbul Basaksehir, the team announced.

Impact Touba will begin behind starters Federico Baschirotto and Marin Pongracic, but Lecce aren't very deep in his role. He made 40 appearances, scoring once, in Turkey last season. He previously starred for RKC Waalwijk, Beroe Stara Zagora, and Club Brugge.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Venuti - Called up for Fiorentina game Venuti (shoulder) has been named in Lecce's squad list to face Fiorentina Sunday.

Impact Venuti is back as expected after missing some time due to a shoulder sprain. He'll start as the deputy on either flank and especially on the right one behind Valentin Gendrey. He logged one assist, eight key passes, 37 crosses (nine accurate), and 18 tackles in 17 appearances (nine start) at Fiorentina.

AUGUST 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE