

Both teams involved in the relegation fight had been playing well recently, with Lecce coming off three straight wins. However, Spezia blew a 2-0 lead to Atalanta midweek, forcing extra time and drawing 2-2. Bartlomiej Dragowski returned from a dislocated ankle in November, which forced him to miss the World Cup with Poland because Jeroen Zoet was also hurt, ahead of time. Kastriot Dermaku, Kristijan Bistrovic, and suspended Morten Hjulmand were missed by the guests.
Dragowski was forced to resume play after making two daring saves on early goals from Gabriel Strefezza and Lorenzo Colombo. At the 12-minute mark, both Alexis Blin's header and Joan Gonzalez's follow-up shot hit the crossbar, shocking Lecce who couldn't believe their terrible luck. Both M'Bala Nzola and Simone Bastoni might have done better when nodding Medhi Bourabia's cross off-target and over the top, respectively.