

When the Salentini defeated La Dea 2-1 at Stadio Via del Mare in November, it is clear that Marco Barone has Gian Piero Gasperini's number with his aggressive pressing. Marten de Roon and Giorgio Scalvini were suspended, Duvan Zapata, Mario Pasalic, and Hans Hateboer were injured, and Marten de Roon was out of the match for both teams. Joan Gonzalez was barred from the visitors' side, while Samuel Umtiti, Kastriot Dermaku, and Marin Pongracic were also being treated.
Gabriel Strefezza was only suited for the bench due to his flu-like symptoms. Lecce got off to the perfect start as Assan Ceesay outmuscled Merih Demiral with his back to goal, pivoted, and sent a daisy-cutter from 25 metres out into the bottom corner. Rasmus Hojlund tried a daring diving header, but Wladimiro Falcone stopped both a 12-yard shot from Joakim Maehle and an angled drive from Ademola Lookman.