Lecce beats Udinese 3-0 in Serie A match

Lecce secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium during the seventh round of Serie A, heaping further pressure on under-fire home coach Kosta Runjaic La Presse. The comprehensive defeat marks Udinese’s fifth consecutive loss in the Italian top flight, dropping the Bianconeri into the relegation zone with just 4 points from seven matches.

First-Half Dominance Sets the Tone for Lecce

Di Francesco’s side asserted control early in the lunch match on October 18, 2026, benefiting from a sunny day and a home side dealing with a crowded infirmary. Udinese deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation featuring Okoye; Solet, Alaba, Ebosse; Vojvoda, Karlstrom, Zarraga, Kamara; Ekkelenkamp, Chakvetadze; and Davis. After probing attacks from Geubbels and N’Dry, Lecce broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Gaspar met a corner kick with a firm header past Udinese goalkeeper Okoye. The visitors continued to press down the flanks through Gallo and N’Dry, catching a static Udinese defense flat-footed. In the 33rd minute, N’Dry doubled the lead by steering a teammate’s header home with his chest, leaving the hosts trailing 2-0 at halftime amidst boos from their home supporters. Before the break, Lecce missed further chances through Fatah and a one-on-one opportunity for Geubbels, while Coulibaly suffered a right thigh strain and was replaced by Kaba.

Siebert Secures the Points After Var Reprieve

Udinese showed brief signs of life after the interval, with Arizala and Palma replacing Kamara and Alaba, but Fatah continued to trouble the Bianconeri backline. Despite chances for Davis—whose header in the 51st minute cleared the crossbar—alongside a flurry of missed opportunities by Lecce’s forwards including Geubbels, and an inside post hit by Esteban, the visitors sealed the result in the 86th minute. Defender Siebert surged forward from the backline to unleash a powerful, curling shot off the outside of his boot into the top corner, capping the 0-3 scoreline La Presse. The win lifts Lecce to 9 points in the Serie A standings, as home fans abandoned the stadium in protest.

CHE VITTORIA A UDINE!! 3️⃣💛❤️ https://t.co/NACrYwt95R

— U.S. Lecce (@OfficialUSLecce) October 18, 2026

Runjaic Accepts Blame for Udinese Freefall

Following the final whistle, Kosta Runjaic did not mince words about his team’s performance, calling it the worst display during his tenure La Presse. È stata la prestazione peggiore da quando sono qui a Udine (It has been the worst performance since I have been here in Udine), Runjaic told reporters La Presse. Abbiamo perso i duelli a livello fisico, abbiamo commesso ingenuità e non siamo stati intensi. Non abbiamo trovato soluzioni a livello di gioco per far male al Lecce. Sono responsabile io di queste cinque sconfitte consecutive (We lost the physical duels, we committed naivities, and we were not intense. We found no solutions in our style of play to hurt Lecce. I am responsible for these five consecutive defeats) La Presse.