Lecce secured a vital 2-0 away victory against Cagliari at the Unipol Domus, with second-half goals from Omri Gandelman and Ylber Ramadani proving decisive.
This Serie A clash held significant weight for both sides. Cagliari, sitting 13th in the table with 28 points, aimed to solidify their mid-table position. However, Lecce, 17th with 21 points, desperately sought points to pull away from the relegation zone. Recent form saw Cagliari in better shape, having won three of their last five league matches.
The first half unfolded with Cagliari dominating possession, controlling 59% of the ball. They tried to impose their game on the visitors, circulating passes across the midfield. Despite their control, clear-cut scoring opportunities were scarce. Cagliari managed 8 shots off target and had 8 corner kicks, but their efforts lacked precision.
Lecce, meanwhile, adopted a more cautious approach. They focused on defensive solidity, absorbing Cagliari's pressure effectively. Their game plan involved frustrating the home side and looking for chances on the counter-attack. The disciplined defending meant the score remained level at the break.
As the teams headed into the dressing rooms, Cagliari knew they needed to find a cutting edge. Their dominance in possession had yielded no shots on target, a frustrating statistic. Lecce, conversely, would have been pleased with their defensive display but needed to create more offensive threat.
Cagliari’s manager responded with tactical changes early in the second half. In the 57th minute, Leonardo Pavoletti and Gabriele Zappa entered the fray, hoping to inject more urgency into the attack. These substitutions aimed to break the deadlock and ignite the home crowd.
However, it was Lecce who struck first. In the 65th minute, Omri Gandelman broke the stalemate. Riccardo Sottil delivered a precise assist, allowing Gandelman to find space and drill a shot past the Cagliari goalkeeper. The goal came against the run of play in terms of possession, but demonstrated Lecce's efficiency.
Lecce then doubled their lead in the 76th minute, tightening their grip on the match. Ylber Ramadani scored a crucial second goal, assisted by Lassana Coulibaly. Coulibaly's clever pass found Ramadani, who slotted the ball home with composure. This second goal deflated the home side and solidified Lecce's advantage.
The statistics painted a clear picture of Lecce's clinical performance. They converted two of their four shots on target, achieving an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.35. In contrast, Cagliari, despite 59% possession and 11 total shots, registered a telling 0 shots on target from an xG of 1.01. Lecce's defense held firm, ensuring goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone had no saves to make.
This crucial 2-0 triumph gives Lecce a much-needed boost in their Serie A survival fight, moving them closer to safety. For Cagliari, this home defeat is a significant setback, highlighting issues with their attacking penetration and consistency. They will need to regroup quickly to avoid slipping further down the table.
