US LECCE NEWS

Samuel Umtiti - Avoids fracture Umtiti has been diagnosed with a shoulder contusion after the initial tests, Lecce announced.

Impact Umtiti will undergo further exams to assess different type of damage to the joint and, if those come back clean, he will be evaluated throughout the week to determine whether he could be available Friday versus Salernitana.

JANUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Di Francesco - Takes three shots against Verona Di Francesco drew two fouls and registered three shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate), and two corners in Saturday's 2-0 loss against Verona.

Impact Di Francesco mustered a decent stat-line despite the losing effort, pacing his team in shots, and had the best chance of the game, but Lorenzo Montipo denied him. He has notched one assist, nine shots (three on target), five chances created, and nine crosses (two accurate) in the last four matches.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Valentin Gendrey - Gritty in Verona game Gendrey won five of five tackles and 12 duels and had two crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-2 loss to Verona.

Impact Gendrey had a very physical display in the back and often bested opponents, but that wasn't enough to keep them from scoring twice. He has tallied four chances created, ten crosses (three accurate), 11 tackles (eight won), and seven interceptions in the last four games.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Alexis Blin - Active against Verona Blin won four duels and registered one shot (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate), and two chances created in Saturday's 0-2 defeat to Verona.

Impact Blin had a decent impact in the final third even though his side didn't have a good performance in this one. He has posted three shots (one on target), four chances created, seven tackles (two won), and eight interceptions in the last four matches.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gabriel Strefezza - Lacks touch in Verona loss Strefezza won two of two tackles and had seven crosses (one accurate), two chances created, and one corner in Saturday's 2-0 defeat versus Verona.

Impact Stefezza was the main source of offense for his side as per usual, but he wasn't as effective as in other instances in a collective off-day. He has scored once and added 11 shots (five on target), seven key passes, and 25 crosses (seven accurate) in the last four fixtures. Lecce will host Salernitana Friday.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Concedes twice versus Verona Falcone registered two saves, one clearance, and one punch, and allowed two goals in Saturday's 0-2 loss to Verona.

Impact Falcone couldn't catch two goals from close range that came from unguarded opponents. He has kept one clean sheet, surrendered five goals, and made eight saves in the last four matches. Lecce will host Salernitana Friday.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Samuel Umtiti - Subs off in Verona game Umtiti had three tackles (two won), two clearances, and one interception before exiting Saturday's 0-2 loss to Verona due to a right shoulder injury, Sportitalia reports.

Impact Umtiti landed badly on the joint and was quickly escorted to the locker room to receive medical attention. He was substituted by Alessandro Tuia is the only center-back on the roster other than other regular Federico Baschirotto.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marin Pongracic - Sidelined for a long time Pongracic (ankle) "will miss two or two-and-half months" after the surgery, Lecce director Pantaleo Corvino announced.

Impact Pongracic will be out until late March or early April due to a significant ankle injury. The exec didn't rule out adding another option in the transfer market, considering that Mert Cetin just left. Alessandro Tuia and Kastrito Dermaku (thigh) are currently the only backups behind starters Federico Baschirotto and Samuel Umitit.

JANUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assan Ceesay - Unused versus Milan Ceesay (knee) didn't feature in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Milan.

Impact Ceesay was technically available, but he didn't sub in for Lorenzo Colombo, as has generally happened in recent matches, and the coach went with youngster Joel Volkerling Persson instead. He probably wasn't fit enough to perform despite making the bench. He'll have a full week to recover ahead of the Verona same.

JANUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marin Pongracic - Will have ankle surgery Pongracic will go under the knife due to a right ankle problem after taking some tests in Munich, Lecce announced.

Impact Pongracic has dealt with the injury for about a month and needs surgery to fix it, which will sideline him for multiple weeks. Federico Baschirotto and Samuel Umtiti will be the starters while he's out, and the team might opt to add another option in the transfer market since their other current ones have barely played so far.

JANUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tommaso Cassandro - Transfers to Lecce Cassandro has joined Lecce on a permanent move from Cittadella, the team announced.

Impact Cassandro agreed to a three-year contract with two more optional seasons with his new club. He provided one assist in 20 appearances in Serie B and Coppa Italia this season, and he's more known for his ability in the back than in the final third. He'll back up Valentin Gendrey.

JANUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Milan faces Inter for Super Cup 3 weeks before Serie A derby

The Italian Super Cup between AC Milan and Inter Milan should serve as the appetizer for the main course next month

JANUARY 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Milan fights back from 2 goals down to draw at Lecce

AC Milan’s dismal start to the year continued when it had to fight back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Lecce in Serie A

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gabriel Strefezza - Whips in seven crosses Strefezza took six shots (two on goal), crossed seven times (one accurate) and created three chances during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Milan.

Impact Strefezza was held off the scoresheet despite being the main threat for Lecce on Saturday. The attacker has been the main threat for Lecce all season in fact, leading the club in goals, shots and crosses while having the second most chances created through 16 appearances.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Three saves in draw Falcone allowed two goals while making three saves during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Milan.

Impact Falcone allowed two second half goals including the game tying goal in the 70th minute. The keeper has now allowed 20 goals in 18 league starts while his three saves upped his season total to 57.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Baschirotto - Strikes against Milan Baschirotto scored a goal with his lone shot while creating a chance and making five clearances during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Milan.

Impact Baschirotto found the back of the net in the 23rd minute scoring Lecce's second goal. The goal was the second of the season for the centerback while his five clearances added to his league-high 91 in 18 appearances.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Morten Hjulmand - Assists third goal of season Hjulmand had an assist with his lone chance created while crossing once accurately and making four interceptions during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Milan.

Impact Hjulmand set up Federico Baschirotto in the 23rd minute assisting Lecce's second goal. The assist was a team-high third of the season for the midfielder as he also leads Lecce in tackles and interceptions through 16 appearances.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assan Ceesay - Makes bench against Milan Ceesay is fit and in the match day squad to face Milan on Saturday.

Impact Ceesay is good to go after dealing with knee soreness in the buildup to the match. The forward has three goals in 17 appearances and is available if needed on Saturday.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MATCHDAY: United seek statement win in Manchester derby

Manchester United can move to within one point of Manchester City with victory on Saturday at Old Trafford

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Marin Pongracic - Absent for Milan clash Pongracic hasn't been called up for Saturday's game versus Milan and he flew to Germany to undergo treatments for his ankle injury, Lecce announced.

Impact Pongracic dealt with the problem twice in short order and could be headed for an extended absence given the situation, although the club hasn't disclosed his timetable. Federico Baschirotto and Samuel Umtiti will see the majority of minutes in the back while he's out, while Alessadro Tuia will be the first alternative.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kastriot Dermaku - Stays out for Milan clash Dermaku (thigh) hasn't been called up for Saturday's game versus Milan.

Impact Dermaku will continue to miss time due to a thigh strain that already cost him four matches. Samuel Umtiti and Federico Baschirotto are set to again pair up in the back, while Alessandro Tuia will be the top deputy since Marin Pongracic is out.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assan Ceesay - Questionable for Milan match Ceesay made Lecce's initial squad list for Saturday's game versus Milan, but he's in doubt due to knee soreness, coach Marco Baroni announced.

Impact Ceesay has been limited in practice in the lead-up to the match, but he'll be assessed on game-day to determine whether he could be available. Lorenzo Colombo has started over him in recent fixtures.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kristijan Bistrovic - Comes off bench in Spezia game Bistrovic (undisclosed) took one off-target shot, sent in one accurate cross, and had one clearance in 24 minutes in Sunday's 0- draw with Spezia.

Impact Bistrovic returned after missing the past game with general fatigue. He has been relegated to a bench role from October on, and he'll have to compete also with newcomer Youssef Maleh going forward. He'll have to improve to earn consistent minutes.

JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Morten Hjulmand - Will be back versus Milan Hjulmand served his one-game suspension in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Spezia.

Impact Hjulmand missed his second game of the season due to suspension, this time for yellow-card accumulation. He'll be back in the XI over either Youssef Maleh or Alexis Blin in Saturday's home game versus Milan. He has tallied two assists, 11 chances created, 38 tackles, and 30 interceptions in 15 appearances.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Two saves in clean sheet Falcone kept a clean sheet while making two saves during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Spezia.

Impact Falcone helped Lecce earn a point by shutting out Spezia on Sunday. The clean sheet was the second in 17 league starts for the keeper while his two saves upped his season total to 54.

JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE