Genoa secured a 2-1 victory over Lecce at the Via del Mare stadium, marking the club’s third win in just seven days. Following victories against Venezia and Juventus, the result moves Genoa to 13 points and into 11th place in the Serie A standings, while Lecce remains on nine points after suffering their third straight league defeat.
First-Half Goals Secure Genoa Victory
Genoa established control early, utilizing a dominant first half to secure the points despite heavy rain at the Via del Mare. Milutin Osmajic opened the scoring in the 11th minute, connecting with a powerful cross from Junior Messias to record his fourth goal of the season. The assist marked a recurring defensive issue for Lecce, which has now conceded 10 goals in the opening 30 minutes of play this season.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 28th minute. A rapid transition play involving Traorè and Stephan El Shaarawy allowed Messias to break through the Lecce defense and finish past goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone. By halftime, Genoa had maintained their two-goal cushion, though Lecce’s Youssef Maleh managed to halve the deficit in the 40th minute with a free kick that deflected off the Genoa wall and past goalkeeper Justin Bijlow.
Lecce Struggles With Injuries and Form
The loss marks Lecce’s fifth defeat in six matches, a run that has left the club in a precarious position in the table. Beyond the result, manager Luca Gotti’s side faced further personnel challenges when Monteiro was forced off the pitch in the 59th minute due to a muscular injury. The club confirmed the issue is the latest in a series of similar physical setbacks for the squad this season.
Lecce attempted to mount a comeback in the second half, with Antonino Gallo testing Bijlow from distance in the 52nd minute. A late surge in the 79th minute saw a shot from Ngom saved by Bijlow, but the hosts were unable to capitalize on the rebound. A goal by Stulic in the closing moments of the first half was disallowed after a VAR review confirmed a handball by the forward.
Tactical Shifts and Substitutions
Both managers made significant changes to manage the intensity of the match. For Lecce, Gotti introduced Kaba for Gorter early in the second half, followed by a triple substitution in the 75th minute involving Esteban, Gandelman, and Dembelè. Genoa manager Alberto Gilardino responded by utilizing his bench to preserve the lead, bringing on Alessandro Vogliacco and Vitinha to reinforce the defense and midfield as Lecce increased their pressure.
Standings and Upcoming Schedule
The win completes a perfect week for Genoa, moving the team to 13 points and mid-table security. Conversely, Lecce faces increasing pressure as they remain on nine points. Both clubs now look toward their upcoming fixtures in the Serie A calendar to address their respective trajectories.
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