US LECCE NEWS

Lameck Banda - Earns bench spot Banda (knee) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Parma.

Impact Banda is back with the team as expected Saturday, returning to the team sheet after missing the club's last match. He will look to see some time to test his legs before hopefully returning to the starting XI in their next match, as he had started in his last two appearances.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Medon Berisha - Picks up thigh injury Berisha pulled the biceps femoris muscle in his right thigh, Lecce announced.

Impact Berisha got hurt shortly after his first start and will miss one or two games due to a minor problem. Hamza Rafia, Remi Oudin and Filip Marchwinski are the other options for the role.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Probable for Parma match Banda (knee) "missed seven days of training but returned well. In any case, we need to manage him," coach Luca Gotti announced.

Impact Banda resumed training fully late in the week and is poised to be an option following a one-game absence due to a knock, but he's more likely to come off the bench given his imperfect conditions. Tete Morente and Ante Rebic manned the wings in the previous match, where Patrick Dorgu was also missing. He has tallied four shots (one on target), four key passes and eight crosses (two accurate) in three appearances (two starts).

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Medon Berisha - Active in first season start Berisha had two shots (one on target), created three chances and sent in five crosses (three accurate) during Sunday's scoreless draw against Torino.

Impact Berisha made his first start of the season after being an unused substitute on the previous match. And the midfielder definitely made most of the opportunity by being his team's main creative force. Despite not being able to help Lecce escape with a win, Berisha definitely strengthened his case to remain with the team for the upcoming contests.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Tete Morente - Creates four chances in draw Morente had two off-target shots, created four chances, sent in two crosses (one accurate) and was shown a yellow card during Sunday's scoreless draw against Torino.

Impact Morente returned to the starting XI after coming off the bench during the previous two outings and made most of the new chance as he created a lot for teammates from the right flank. Competition for the winger spots will be very heavy at Lecce, but Morente finally showed here why he was signed for this season.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Krstovic - Logs double-digit shots in draw Krstovic had 10 shots (five on target) and suffered two fouls during Sunday's scoreless draw against Torino.

Impact Krstovic couldn't score as he did on the previous match but it wasn't for lack of trying as his 10 shots attempted were not only a game high but also more than he tried in any contest last season. With 21 shots in four league starts, Krstovic is definitely someone who will deserve a lot of attention from opposing defenses moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Keeps clean sheet in draw Falcone made zero saves and kept a clean sheet during Sunday's scoreless draw against Torino.

Impact Falcone benefited from the opposition's lack of accuracy in front of the net as he didn't have to make any save throughout the contest to leave the pitch with his second consecutive clean sheet. After clashes against two of the league's best offenses to start the campaign, the goalkeeper bounced back with a reduced workload and Saturday's home match against Parma will be another good opportunity for him to keep his net intact.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Dorgu - Clears suspension Dorgu completed a one-game ban in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Torino.

Impact Dorgu will be sidelined for just one game following a straight red card and will likely start over either Tete Morente or Ante Rebic versus Parma on Saturday. He has logged seven shots (one on target), two key passes and two crosses (zero accurate) in three matches.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Will sit out Torino fixture Banda hasn't been called up for Sunday's clash with Torino due to a knee contusion, Lecce relayed.

Impact Banda got banged up while on international duties, and the early tests ruled out more serious problems to the joint, so he could be able to make a quick recovery. Patrick Dorgu (suspension) is missing too on the wings, so two among Remi Oudin, Ante Rebic, Tete Morente and Santiago Pierotti will start wide.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Mohamed Kaba - Needs more time Kaba (knee) hasn't re-joined his teammates in full training yet, Lecce announced.

Impact Kaba hasn't ramped up enough to resume being available and will stay on the mend as he completes his recovery from an ACL tear. Lecce signed two players, Balthazar Pierret and Lassana Coulibaly, with similar traits.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Ylber Ramadani - Critical defensive effort Ramadani recorded five tackles (four won), one clearance and two interceptions in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Cagliari.

Impact Ramadani's exertion of energy in the midfield Saturday lifted a 10-man Lecce over Cagliari by a margin of 1 - 0. Ramadani led Lecce with five tackles (four won). He also contributed two interceptions, one clearance and one block to the clean sheet effort. Ramadani has started in each of the first three matches of the campaign for Lecce, showing he remains a key cog in the side for whom he made 34 starting appearances in Serie A during the 2023 -2024 campaign.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Kialonda Gaspar - First Serie A asisst Gaspar assisted once to go with two shots (zero on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-0 win over Cagliari.

Impact Gaspar's headed assist from a corner kick routine was the difference in the match as Lecce would go on to defeat Cagliari 1 - 0, despite playing with 10 men for the entirety of the second half. Gaspar's contributions to the Lecce clean sheet effort were also indispensable, as he led the team in clearances (eight) and blocks (four). The defender also made four interceptions. After joining Lecce ahead of the campaign from Portuguese side C.F. Estrela da Amadora, Gaspar has played in every minute of Lecce's first three matches of the 2024 -2025 campaign.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Krstovic - Game-winning goal Krstovic scored one goal to go with five shots (three on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-0 win against Cagliari.

Impact Krstovic opened the scoring in the first half of Lecce's 1 - 0 victory over Cagliari. The young forward pounced on a ball that was headed back across the goalmouth to put away his first goal of the campaign over three appearances (three starts). Krstovic scored seven times and supplied one assist over 35 appearances (30 starts) last season, his first at Lecce.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - First clean sheet of campaign Falcone made two saves and secured a clean sheet in Saturday's 1-0 win against Cagliari. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 65th minute.

Impact Falcone was able to turn aside the two Cagliari shots that troubled his net, as he guided a 10-man Lecce side over the line for a 1 - 0 victory and his first clean sheet of the campaign. Falcone remains entrenched as the first-choice keeper for Lecce. He has started every Serie A match for the club dating back to the opening match of the 2022 - 2023 campaign. The veteran keeper's next test will come after the international break when Lecce visit Torino, who have scored five goals over their first three matches.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Dorgu - Sent off versus Cagliari Dorgu recorded two shots (zero on goal) in 45 minutes before receiving a straight red card in Saturday's game against Cagliari.

Impact Dorgu couldn't capitalize on a pair of good chances and was expelled for stomping on an opponent's ankle while trying to latch onto the ball. He shouln't get more than the standard one-game suspension. Hamza Rafia and Tete Morente will be candidates to replace him against Torino after the break. Remi Oudin would start on the wing in the first case.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Bonifazi - Transfers to Lecce Bonifazi has moved to Lecce on loan with an option to buy, the team announced.

Impact Bonifazi goes out on loan again after starring for Frosinone in the last six months, where he had trouble staying healthy and recorded five tackles, three interceptions and eight clearances in six appearances (six starts) and contributing to one clean sheet. He'll begin behind Federico Baschirotto and Kialonda Gaspar in the depth chart.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Hasa - Heads to Lecce Hasa is joining Lecce on a permanent deal from Juventus, the team announced.

Impact Hasa manages to make the double jump from the third division to the Serie A in one summer. He posted two goals and six assists with Juventus' Next Gen squad last season and will try to find room in Lecce's veteran midfielder despite starting down low in the hierarchy.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Frederic Guilbert - Transfers to Lecce Guilbert has formally agreed to a contract until 2026 with an option with Lecce upon joining from Strasbourg.

Impact Guilbert comes in shortly after the departure of Valentin Gendrey and will compete with Andy Pelmard to be the starting right-back this season. He scored twice in the past campaign, adding 85 crosses (17 accurate), 87 tackles and 89 clerances and contributing to four clean sheets.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Ante Rebic - Works his way back to Serie A Rebic has officially signed with Lecce after leaving Besiktas after one season.

Impact Rebic returns to Italy, where he previously spent a few seasons at Milan, after a year in Turkey where he scored once and provided five assists in 23 appearances. He was no longer a regular near the end of his time at San Siro and tallied three goals, two assists, 27 shots (13 on target) and 13 key passes in 30 games (12 starts) in 2022/2023. He'll be an extra option in a few different offensive roles.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Gaby Jean - Moves to Lecce Jean has agreed to a contract until 2027 with Lecce upon coming in from Annecy.

Impact Jean played in Ligue 1 in the last two seasons, accumulating over 80 appearances. He'll provide depth in the middle of the defense behind the starting duo composed by Federico Gasparotto and Kiolanda Gaspar.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Balthazar Pierret - Four crosses in loss Pierret recorded four crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Saturday's 2-0 loss versus Inter Milan.

Impact Pierret made his second straight start Saturday after joining Leece in the summer. He put together a decent performance, tying for the team lead with four crosses and taking half of his side's six corners. He was subbed off in the 85th minute for Medon Berisha.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Four crosses in loss Banda generated one shot (zero on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Inter Milan. In addition, he was given a yellow card i...

Impact Banda made his first start of the season Saturday and recorded four crosses, including one accurate cross. He also created multiple chances before he was subbed off in the 64th minute for Tete Morente. After a decent creative performance, Banda may find himself in the starting XI more often moving forward.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Krstovic - Three shots in loss Krstovic recorded three shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Inter Milan.

Impact Krstovic led his team with three shots Saturday, his second consecutive match with three. He has clearly established himself as the focal point of Leece's attack, however that attack has shown itself to be in rough shape through two matches.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Concedes twice in loss Falcone made one save and allowed two goals in Saturday's 2-0 defeat versus Inter Milan.

Impact Falcone conceded two goals Saturday, a Matteo Darmian header in the 5th minute and a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty in the 70th. He has now conceded six goals and made just three saves in his opening two matches. He will look to get his season on track Saturday versus Cagliari.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Antonino Gallo - Registers most crosses in the game Gallo registered one shot (zero on goal), 10 crosses (five accurate) and five corners in Monday's 4-0 defeat versus Atalanta.

Impact Gallo was one of Lecce's top performers as he recorded the most crosses in the game, created five chances, completed a dribble and also contributed defensively with two tackles, one interception and one clearance. He recorded 35 appearances last season and will aim to accumulate similar amount of appearances across the board this season as well.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE