Lecce ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Pisa in Serie A action, with N. Stulic’s 72nd-minute goal proving the difference in a match that saw the hosts dominate from start to finish.
The home side’s superiority was evident from the opening whistle, though an early substitution forced M. Berisha off after just 11 minutes disrupted their rhythm. Pisa’s frustrations mounted as A. Calabresi picked up a yellow card in the 33rd minute before being hauled off at halftime, summarizing a difficult first period for the visitors.
Lecce’s attacking intent was clear throughout, peppering Pisa’s goal with 21 shots compared to just five from the visitors. The hosts’ 1.83 expected goals dwarfed Pisa’s meager 0.20 xG, highlighting the gulf in quality between the sides. Remarkably, Pisa failed to register a single shot on target, with their goalkeeper making two saves while Lecce’s custodian enjoyed a comfortable afternoon with zero required.
Manager adjustments defined the second half, as Pisa threw on E. Akinsanmiro and S. Moreo in the 59th minute seeking a spark. Lecce responded with their own changes, introducing S. Pierotti and F. Camarda, before Stulic finally broke the deadlock with 18 minutes remaining.
The closing stages grew heated as Lecce protected their advantage. A flurry of substitutions saw C. Ndaba and R. Sottil enter for the hosts, while Pisa’s A. Caracciolo came on in search of an equalizer. Yellow cards for Tete Morente and K. Gaspar reflected the growing tension, but Lecce’s defensive discipline—evidenced by 24 effective clearances—ensured they held firm.
Despite near-even possession (51.6% to 48.4%), Lecce’s clinical approach and attacking dominance, including 12 corner kicks to Pisa’s solitary one, secured three crucial points.
