Lecce claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory at Sassuolo, with Nicolò Stulic's stoppage-time goal securing an unlikely away win despite the hosts dominating possession.
Lecce arrived at the MAPEI Stadium sitting 17th in Serie A, desperate for points to climb away from the relegation zone. Sassuolo, positioned 11th with 49 points, sought to maintain their mid-table standing. The stage was set for a clash between contrasting styles and ambitions.
Walid Cheddira opened the scoring in the 14th minute, firing Lecce ahead with a clinical finish. Sassuolo responded quickly, with Armand Laurienté leveling the match just six minutes later in the 20th minute. The momentum swung back to Lecce immediately after, as Cheddira struck again in the 25th minute to restore the visitors' lead.
Cheddira's double made him the standout performer in the opening stages. The striker completed three shots on target from three attempts, terrorizing Sassuolo's defense with intelligent movement and sharp finishing.
Sassuolo controlled possession throughout the first half, completing 87% of their passes with 610 total attempts. However, their dominance on the ball failed to translate into clear-cut chances. The hosts generated just 1.83 expected goals, indicating a lack of quality in the final third.
The second half saw Sassuolo intensify their pressure, but Lecce's compact defensive shape held firm. Lecce's disciplined approach frustrated the hosts, who struggled to break down their visitors despite 74% possession.
Andrea Pinamonti entered the match as a substitute and made an immediate impact in the 82nd minute, scoring to level proceedings at 2-2. The goal sparked renewed hope for Sassuolo, who sensed an opportunity to snatch victory.
However, Lecce refused to surrender. In the 90th minute plus six seconds, Stulic fired home a stunning late winner, sending the traveling supporters into raptures. The goal came from Lecce's eighth corner kick of the match, showing their ability to capitalize on set-play opportunities.
Sassuolo dominated the statistics but paid the price for their inefficiency. They attempted 13 shots with five on target, while Lecce managed just nine shots with five on target. Lecce's goalkeeper made three crucial saves to preserve the victory.
The result sees Lecce climb to 35 points, moving away from the immediate danger zone. Sassuolo's defeat leaves them on 49 points, their mid-table position now under threat following this disappointing home performance.
This victory proves vital for Lecce's survival hopes, while Sassuolo must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further down the table.
