Lecce and Bologna meet at the Stadio Comunale Via del Mare on Sunday, both looking for their first win of the Serie A season. Lecce sit 12th with six points after a 3-0 loss to AC Milan in their last match, while Bologna have just two points and occupy 18th place following a 1-1 draw against Torino.
Lecce’s manager Eusebio Di Francesco will field a side featuring Wladimiro Falcone in goal, supported by defenders Danilo Veiga, Jamil Siebert, Kialonda Gaspar, and Antonino Gallo. The midfield includes Youssef Maleh, Ivan Ilic, Lassana Coulibaly, and Santiago Pierotti, with Willem Geubbels and Joël Monteiro up front. Bologna, led by Raffaele Palladino, line up with Lukasz Skorupski in goal, and a backline of Eivind Helland, Torbjorn Heggem, Arthur Theate, and Nadir Zortea. Their midfield consists of Lewis Ferguson, Tommaso Pobega, and Juan Miranda, while Riccardo Orsolini, Roberto Piccoli, and Federico Bernardeschi take attacking roles.
Both teams have struggled defensively in recent games. Bologna have conceded in their last five matches and have not won in five games overall. Their away form has been poor, with two consecutive losses on the road. Lecce, meanwhile, have conceded goals in four straight matches, including their recent defeat by Milan.
The head-to-head record favors Bologna, who have won 21 of the 50 encounters between the clubs. Lecce have only three Serie A wins against Bologna’s 17, though the record at Via del Mare is level with six wins apiece from 25 matches. The last time these sides met, Bologna secured a 2-0 victory.
Injuries are limited for both teams. Bologna’s Emil Holm remains sidelined with a hamstring muscle injury, while Lecce have no unavailable players listed for this fixture.
Di Francesco has faced Palladino four times as a coach, with two wins, one draw, and one defeat. Palladino’s record against Lecce stands at three wins, three draws, and a single loss in seven meetings. Di Francesco has a longer history against Bologna, having faced them 18 times with five wins, four draws, and nine defeats.
Lecce will be aiming to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Milan and improve their mid-table standing. Bologna will look to escape the relegation zone with a first win after a sequence of disappointing results. The match kicks off with both sides aware that points are essential to steady their seasons.
According to Yahoo Sports.
