US LECCE NEWS

Alessandro Tuia - On track for Sassuolo game Tuia (undisclosed) went into full training Monday, Lecce announced.

Impact Tuia sat out the Inter game due to a previous muscular problem. Depending on how many minutes he can handle in his first game back, he could be in contention to start with Mert Cetin (ankle), Alexis Blin and Federico Baschirotto.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kristoffer Askildsen - Returns to full training Askildsen (illness) was a full go in practice Monday, Lecce announced.

Impact Askildsen sat out the opener due to a stomach bug, but he's poised to be back for the second match. He will compete with Joan Gonzalez, Alexis Blin and Thomas Helgason for a spot in the midfield.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mathias Normann - Moves to Lecce Normann has joined Lecce on a season-long loan from Rostov, the team announced.

Impact Normann played at Norwich last season, posting one goal, two assists, 13 chances and 34 crosses (seven accurate) in 23 appearances. He could have a decent role in the midfield if he adjusts to his new surrounding pretty quickly.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alexis Blin - Logs eight clearances versus Inter Blin had two blocks, three interceptions and eight clearances and won three duels in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Balin subbed in early after Mert Cetin bowed out and was solid as a center-back, even though Inter won it at the buzzer. With three defenders currently dealing with injuries, he might get some run in this role in the upcoming matches.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Baschirotto - Puts up numbers against Inter Baschirotto had ten clearances, and two interceptions and won five duels and two of two tackles in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Baschirotto risked being sent off for an X-rated tackle in the first half, but he mostly held up in his first Serie A game. He will likely be handed more opportunities since Lecce have a lot of issues in the back.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Di Francesco - Sets up teammate against Inter Di Francesco created two scoring chances, sent in two inaccurate crosses, took one off-target shot and picked up an assist in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Di Francesco didn't have a superb display but he teed up Assan Ceesay with a timely through ball early in the second half. If Lecce don't sign any other winger, he's going to have more opportunities to start than last season, when he posted five shots, 26 shots (eight on target) and 14 chances in 26 appearances with Empoli (17 starts). Lecce will face Sassuolo away Saturday.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Assan Ceesay - Scores against Inter Ceesay took two shots (one on target), drew three fouls, won thee duels and scored a goal in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Ceesay had a strong Serie A debut as he wrong-footed Samir Handanovic with a clever shot after slipping behind the defense. He was highly productive in Switzerland and will look to have similar success in Italy too. Lecce will face Sassuolo away Saturday.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gabriel Strefezza - Productive against Inter Strefezza took two shots (one on target), sent in seven crosses (three accurate), created two chances and drew four fouls in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Strefezza served as the focal point of the offense and took care of corner kicks, which allowed up to pile up stats. He tallied 14 goals and six assists in Serie B last season and, while he's unlikely to replicate those numbers against better competition, his role will remain very prominent. Lecce will face Sassuolo away Saturday.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Brilliant despite loss to Inter Falcone had seven saves, three punches and five clearances and allowed two goals in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Falcone caught whatever was within his reach throughout the contest, but Inter still found a way to get the win thanks to a late surge. This type of performance might become routine for him this season. Lecce will face Sassuolo away Saturday.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lukaku swiftly opens Inter account in 2-1 win at Lecce

It took Romelu Lukaku just 82 seconds to mark his return to Inter Milan with a goal

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mert Cetin - Subs off early versus Inter Cetin limped off after just 21 minutes in Sunday's game against Inter after recording one interception and one clearance.

Impact Cetin tried to play through an ankle sprain but appeared to aggravate it early in the match. He'll likely be fully assessed in the next few days. He was replaced by Alexis Blin, who joined Federico Baschirotto in the middle of the defense.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mert Cetin - Starting against Inter Cetin (ankle) is in Lecce's starting lineup for Saturday's clash against Inter Milan.

Impact Cetin carried an injury designation into Saturday's game after picking up an ankle sprain, but he is fit enough to get the start in central defense.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mert Cetin - Questionable for Inter game Cetin has been called up but he's in doubt for Saturday's match versus Inter due to an ankle sprain, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Impact Cetin is the only pure center-back currently available given the injuries to Alessandro Tuia and Kastriot Dermaku, but he will have to pass a late fitness test to get the nod, otherwise Alexis Blin and Valentin Gendrey will likely adapt to the role, opening up a spot for Federico Baschirotto and a midfielder.

AUGUST 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Daniel Samek - Ruled out for Inter game Samek didn't make Lecce's squad list to face Inter Saturday.

Impact Samek is absent for unknown reasons and might have suffered a late injury since he wasn't listed among those being limited in practice in the last few days. Lecce will be pretty thin in the midfield since Kristoffer Askildsen is out with an illness and Alexis Blin will likely play in the back.

AUGUST 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kristoffer Askildsen - Will miss Inter game Askildsen will sit out Saturday's match versus Inter due to a stomach bug, Lecce informed.

Impact Askildsen has sat out multiple practices due to the illness and he is not at his coach's disposal for this one. Lecce are down to Morten Hjulmand, Kristijan Bistrovic, Thohir Helgason, Joan Gonzalez and Daniel Samek in the midfield.

AUGUST 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alessandro Tuia - Will miss Inter clash Tuia (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Saturday's game versus Inter.

Impact Tuia hasn't been able to shake off an unspecified muscular problem that already sidelined him in Coppa Italia. With Kastriot Dermaku also unavailable, two among Alexis Blin, Mert Cetin and Valentin Gendrey will play in the middle of the defense.

AUGUST 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kastriot Dermaku - Diagnosed with strain Dermaku has suffered a biceps femoris strain in the left thigh in the recent match against Cittadella, Lecce announced.

Impact Dermaku will have to sit out three-to-four weeks because of the issue and will skip multiple matches. Lecce recently added Mert Cetin in the back and also has Alexis Blin, Valentin Gendrey, Alessandro Tuia and Arturo Calabresi has options in the role.

AUGUST 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mert Cetin - Moves to Lecce Cetin has joined Lecce on a season-long loan with option to buy from Verona, the teams announced.

Impact Cetin failed to impress after transferring from Roma a couple of years ago and spent the second half of last season at Kayserispor. Despite that, he could have a primary role right away since Lecce have a few injury concerns in the back. He has logged 14 tackles, 18 interceptions, 23 clearances and nine blocks in 14 appearances (six starts) in Serie A so far.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kastriot Dermaku - Subs off against Cittadella Dermaku bowed out in the first half of Friday's cup game against Cittadella due to an apparent muscular injury, TeleNuovo reports.

Impact Dermaku will be assessed in the next few days to determine whether the issue is minor enough to allow him to play in the opener against Inter. Lecce might be without the other starting center-back Alessandro Tuia too, who's also hurt. Fullback Valentin Gendrey moved to the middle when Dermaku subbed off, partnering with Alexis Blin, while Federico Baschirotto came in to man the right flank.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alessandro Tuia - Ruled out for cup game Tuia will miss Friday's Coppa Itala match versus Cittadella due to an undisclosed injury, Lecce informed.

Impact Tuia is reportedly dealing with an unspecified muscular problem and is questionable for the opener against Inter. Midfielder Alexis Blin is likely to adapt to the defense and join Kastriot Dermaku in the back for the cup fixture, and that could be the case also for the Inter clash.

AUGUST 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Arturo Calabresi - Suspended for opener Calabresi will miss next Saturday's game versus Inter due to a one-game disqualification stemming from last season.

Impact Calabresi picked up his fifth yellow card in the final matchday. He's not a lock to stay on the roster past deadline day, but he hasn't left yet and will therefore provide depth in multiple defensive roles. Valentin Gendrey, Kastiot Dermaku, Alessandro Tuia and Gianluca Frabotta will open the season as the starters.

AUGUST 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Di Francesco - Joins Lecce Di Francesco has transferred to Lecce on a permanent deal from SPAL, the teams announced.

Impact Di Francesco wasn't bought out by Empoli despite a decent loan spell but returns to Serie A in a different team. He should quickly supplant last year's regulars Francesco Di Mariano and Marcin Listkowski on the wings, but he often dealt with injuries in recent campaigns. He posted five goals, 26 shots (eight on target), 14 chances and 38 crosses (three accurate) in 26 appearances (17 starts) in 2021/2022.

JULY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Daniel Samek - Joins Lecce Samek has agreed to a five-year contract with Lecce after moving from Slavia Prague, the team announced.

Impact Samek already has 31 appearances among the pro despite his young age, and he has tallied three goals and four assists. He will look to work his way up the pecking order in his first season in Italy.

JULY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kristijan Bistrovic - Joins Lecce Bistrovic has moved to Lecce on a season-long loan with option to buy from CSKA Moscow, the team announced.

Impact Bistrovic played in Turkey at Kasimpasa and Karagumruk in the two most recent seasons, posting one goal and six assists in 38 appearances. He has tallied 12 shots (four on target), three chances, 18 crosses (eight accurate) and 13 tackles in 12 matches in Europa League with CSKA Moscow in the recent past.

JULY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kristoffer Askildsen - Transfers to Lecce Askildsen has moved to Lecce on a season-long loan from Sampdoria, the two clubs announced.

Impact Askildsen will look to get more consistent playing time for the newly promoted team after being a rotational player for Sampdoria in the last few seasons. He recorded seven off-target shots, two chances, 18 tackles and 15 interceptions in 19 appearances (seven starts) in 2021/2022.

JULY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE