Torino and Lecce played to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on November 7, 2026, in a match defined by late technical adjustments and two goals reclassified as own goals by Lega Serie A. The match, part of the 11th round of Serie A, saw both teams struggle to find offensive rhythm before defensive deflections ultimately decided the scoreline.
The kickoff was delayed by 16 minutes after referee Feliciani noted that the goal line under the Curva Maratona was not perfectly aligned, which would have compromised the goal-line technology system.
Workers had to repaint the line while players remained on the pitch to stay warm in the cold November air. Before the match began, a minute of silence was observed in memory of Jesús de Miguel, a player who passed away in Spain following an on-field collision.
The deadlock broke in the 60th minute when a Giovanni Simeone shot took a decisive deflection off Lecce defender Kialonda Gaspar, according to ANSA.
While initially credited as a goal for Simeone, Lega Serie A later revised the match report to record it as an own goal by Gaspar, as the ball was not moving toward the goal frame before the touch. The play originated from a Comuzzo cut that found Simeone, whose left-footed strike proved unstoppable for goalkeeper Falcone.
⏱️ – 87' Doppio rimpallo in area, palo e angolo!#TorinoLecce [1-1]
Lecce equalized in the 73rd minute through a similar sequence. This strike was also officially registered as an own goal, as the original trajectory would have missed the target. Coulibaly had provided the assist to the number 11, who cut inside before unleashing a curling left-footed effort.
Torino manager Ignazio Abate opted for a new attacking pairing, starting Kulenovic alongside Simeone. This tactical move failed to generate pressure, and Kulenovic was replaced by Adams at halftime. The midfield, which saw Fitz-Jim play alongside Vlasic and Bragança, struggled to maintain control in the absence of Mandragora, whose influence was missed. While Abate recovered both Mandragora and Cacciamani, only the latter started.
Di Francesco’s Lecce utilized a 5-3-2 formation, with Dembele and Gallo playing as wide midfielders in a deep defensive setup. The match saw few chances; in the 22nd minute, a Gallo corner was punched away by Perri. Later, Tiago Gabriel slipped in the area, and Simeone fired wide while facing the goalkeeper in an action negated by a previous handball.
After falling behind, Abate overhauled his midfield by introducing Ilkhan, Casadei, and Aboukhlal. Despite the lack of fluidity, Torino mounted a late push for a winner. In the 87th minute, Adams struck the post, and a follow-up attempt by Simeone was saved by Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone. ANSA noted that the final whistle confirmed the draw, leaving Torino with 14 points and Lecce with 10.
The result leaves Torino manager Ignazio Abate with several tactical issues to address during the upcoming break. The team’s recent form—marked by losses to Como and Frosinone followed by this draw—has dampened expectations after a three-game winning streak.
The squad continues to rely heavily on Simeone and Adams, as Duvan Zapata has struggled to regain fitness and has remained on the bench since the start of the campaign.
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