US LECCE NEWS

Joan Gonzalez - Fires two shots Gonzalez took two shots (one on goal) and crossed once inaccurately during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Spezia.

Impact Gonzalez was held off the scoresheet but wasn't alone as Lecce were shutout on Sunday. The midfielder's two shots were the second most on the team as he remains on a goal and two assists in his 17 league appearances.

JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kristijan Bistrovic - Called up for Spezia game Bistrovic (thigh) has been named in Lecce's squad list to face Spezia Sunday.

Impact Bistrovic was out for the past game after dealing with muscle fatigue throughout the break, but he improved in the last couple of days and will be an option for this one. He could get minutes considering Morten Hjulmand is suspended. He has posted seven shots (one on target), five chances created, 20 crosses (nine accurate), and three tackles in ten games (five starts).

JANUARY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marin Pongracic - Unavailable versus Spezia Pongracic (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus Spezia, Lecce announced.

Impact Pongracic was an unused sub in the previous match, but he hasn't completely recovered from a previous ankle problem and won't make the trip for this one. Federico Baschirotto and Samuel Umtiti are set to draw another start, while Alessandro Tuia will be the top defensive backup.

JANUARY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Underwhelming versus Lazio Banda sent in two inaccurate crosses, took two corner kicks, committed one foul, and was booked in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Lazio.

Impact Banda got the start despite a small injury, but he didn't do much, and Federico Di Francesco was much more effective coming off the bench. He scored a goal in the last game before the break, but his minutes have been decreasing in the last few matches. He has posted two shots (one on target), three chances created, and eight crosses (one accurate) in the last five fixtures (two starts).

JANUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joan Gonzalez - Active despite not scoring Gonzalez generated two shots (zero on goal) and two crosses (zero accurate) in Wednesday's 2-1 win versus Lazio.

Impact Gonzalez wasn't involved in any of the team's two goals, but he looked active in midfield and often posted a threat to the opposing defensive line. Gonzalez has started in each of Lecce's last 10 games and has racked up two assists, seven shots and seven chances created in that span.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Di Francesco - Delivers an assist in win Di Francesco assisted once to go with two shots (two on goal) and one corner in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Lazio. He also created three scoring chances.

Impact Di Francesco set up the game-winning goal for Lecce, as he found himself at the end of a cross into the far post and delivered the ball back into the middle so Lorenzo Colombo can drill a shot into the back of the net. This was Di Francesco's one goal and two assists across 16 outings this season, and two of his three goals contributions have come over his last three appearances.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Colombo - Scores against Lazio Colombo scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal) in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Lazio.

Impact Colombo netted the game-winning goal midway through the second half after finding himself in the right place and at the right time -- he won the position against the defenders and tapped the ball home following a cross into the middle by Federico Di Francesco. This was Colombo's fourth goal of the campaign, and he has two assists as well.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Makes one save Wednesday Falcone had one save and allowed one goal in Wednesday's 2-1 win versus Lazio.

Impact Falcone couldn't have done much on the sequence that led to Ciro Immobile's opener in the first half, but he was solid the rest of the way and responded when needed as Lecce pulled the upset with a comeback win. Falcone should remain in the XI when Lecce take on Spezia on Sunday.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gabriel Strefezza - Finds back of net Strefezza scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Lazio.

Impact Strefezza took advantage of a shot that rattled the crossbar to score the equalizer, as he tapped a shot from close range into the empty goal with Ivan Provedel out of the picture. This was Strefezza's fifth goal of the campaign, and the Brazilian remains one of Lecce's most influential players on the attacking line.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lazio given partial stadium ban for racist chants at Umtiti

Lazio will play its next game with part of the Stadio Olimpico closed to spectators after fans of the Roman club directed racist chants at Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti and winger L...

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Morten Hjulmand - Will miss Spezia clash Hjulmand won two of three tackles, created two scoring chances, and had four clearances in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Spezia, picking up his fifth yellow card.

Impact Hjulmand shined defensively as per usual, but he'll have to sit out one game due to yellow-card accumulation. He'll be replaced by either Kristoffer Askildsen or Youssef Maleh.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Starting Wednesday Banda (undisclosed) will feature in the starting XI against Lazio on Wednesday.

Impact Banda came off the bench in three of his last four appearances but will get the start Wednesday. Despite logging just 19 minutes his previous time out, the forward managed to score his first goal of the season and could offer decent offensive upside.

JANUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joan Gonzalez - Starting versus Lazio Gonzalez (knee) was named to the starting XI to face Lazio on Wednesday.

Impact Gonzalez was dealing with a knee problem but avoids missing any time thanks to the World Cup break. In his last five outings, the midfielder has registered one assist, five shots (zero on target) and six crosses (one accurate) and should be capable of offering decent mid-range fantasy value.

JANUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kastriot Dermaku - Unavailable versus Lazio Dermaku (thigh) hasn't been named in Lecce's squad list to face Lazio Wednesday.

Impact Dermaku hasn't recovered from a thigh strain he suffered in early November. Federico Baschirotto, Samuel Umtiti, Marin Pongracic, and Alessandro Tuia are the top options at the position.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kristijan Bistrovic - Will miss Lazio game Bistrovic hasn't been called up for Wednesday's match versus Lazio, Lecce announced.

Impact Bistrovic was nursing some muscle fatigue early in the break and hasn't been able to shake it off. Lecce will lean on Morten Hjulmand, Kristoffer Askildsen, and Joan Gonzalez in the midfield.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marin Pongracic - Fine for Lazio game Pongracic (ankle) "has recovered and will be an option" for Wednesday's clash with Lazio, coach Marco Baroni announced.

Impact Pongracic twisted an ankle in practice a week ago, but he managed to get healthy and he'll compete with Samuel Umiti, as per usual. He has registered 16 tackles, 16 interceptions, 30 clearances, and three blocks in nine appearances so far, with no clean sheets.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Youssef Maleh - Moves to Lecce Maleh has joined Lecce on a season-long loan with conditioned obligation to buy from Fiorentina, the teams announced.

Impact Maleh would automatically be bought out if his new club avoids relegation. He has mostly been a backup in the past 18 months in Florence, but he was moderately productive in 2021/2022, tallying two goals and three assists in 28 appearances (11 starts). He logged six chances created, seven off-target shots, and seven crosses (two accurate) in seven games in the current one. He'll be an offensive-minded addition to the midfield and will compete with Joan Gonzalez, Alexis Blin, Kristoffer Askildsen, and Kristjan Bistrovic.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joan Gonzalez - Avoids significant issues Gonzalez (knee) trained regularly Saturday, Lecce announced.

Impact Gonzalez was held out of practice after a bruise in a recent friendly, but the tests came back clean, and he'll be good to go for Wednesday's match versus Lazio. He has started in 13 out of 15 matches so far, tallying one goal, two assists, 11 chances created, and 23 tackles.

JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Shakes off injury Banda returned to full training Saturday, Lecce announced.

Impact Banda skipped a friendly due to an unspecified tendon problem, but the decision was mostly precautionary, and he's set to be available for Wednesday's match against Lazio, where he'll compete for the starting job with Federico Di Francesco. He has scored and assisted once in 15 appearances so far, adding 16 shots (three on target), six chances created, and 23 crosses (two accurate).

JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joan Gonzalez - Picks up knee problem Gonzalez skipped practice Friday to a slight knee contusion, Lecce announced.

Impact Gonzalez bowed out early in a recent friendly versus Udinese and, while the problem doesn't appear severe, he has only a few days to shake it off before next Wednesday's match versus Lazio.

DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marin Pongracic - Turns ankle Pongracic practiced on the side Tuesday due to an ankle sprain he picked in a recent friendly versus Udinese, Lecce announced.

Impact Pongracic has about a week to shake it off ahead of January 4's game versus Lazio. He generally alternates with Samuel Umtiti in the back next to Federico Baschirotto.

DECEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Will miss friendly Banda won't be available for Saturday's game against Udinese due to a tendon problem, Lecce announced.

Impact Banda had been a full go in training in recent weeks, so the injury is recent and could potentially affect his availability for January 4's game versus Lazio, although he has a couple of weeks to get healthy.

DECEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Giuseppe Pezzella - Back at practice Pezzella (illness) has been training fully in the last few days, Lecce reports.

Impact Pezzella had to sit out a game before the break due to a stomach bug, but he easily shook it off afterward. He'll continue to alternate with Antonino Gallo once Serie A reprises. He has posted two chances created, ten crosses (one accurate), ten tackles, and 13 clearances in six appearances (five starts).

DECEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kastriot Dermaku - Practicing on the side Dermaku (thigh) has remained limited in training this week, Lecce informs.

Impact Dermaku was diagnosed with a thigh strain in early November and needs some more time to recover fully, but he should be able to do before the first January game.

DECEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lukaku to miss Belgium's World Cup opener, Hazard to start

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku will miss his nation’s World Cup opener against Canada on Wednesday night and also could be sidelined for the second match against Morocco

NOVEMBER 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS