The Serie A season heats up as Lecce faces Udinese tonight, February 21, at 20:45, at the Via Del Mare Stadium. This match kicks off the 26th matchday of the Italian top flight, featuring two teams with contrasting ambitions. Lecce, currently fighting for survival, hopes to capitalize on their home advantage to gather much-needed points, whereas Udinese, comfortably mid-table, aims to climb higher.
Lecce, managed by Marco Giampaolo, has shown some resilience lately, remaining unbeaten for the last three games, including one victory against Parma and two draws against Bologna and Monza. This form has propelled the Giallorossi to 25 points, distancing them from the relegation zone occupied by Parma (20 points). A win tonight would give Lecce significant confidence as they inch closer to safety. Giampaolo's team is expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, featuring Ramadani, Coulibaly, and Helgason in midfield, with either Morente or Karlsson joining Pierotti and Krstovic up front.
On the other side, Udinese, led by Kosta Runjaic, started 2025 poorly but reversed their fortunes by securing seven points from their last three outings. Victories against Venezia and Empoli, complemented by a draw against Napoli, see Udinese sitting comfortably at 33 points, which is 13 points clear of the relegation zone. The Bianconeri are expected to continue with their chosen 4-4-2 setup, aiming to solidify their mid-table position. Key players like Thauvin and Lucca are anticipated to lead their attacking line.
Historically, Udinese has enjoyed favorable results against Lecce, having beaten them without conceding goals in their last two encounters. Only once have they managed three consecutive victories against the Salentini, which was between 2011 and 2020. The last match at Via Del Mare saw Lecce win 2-2 in October 2008, with Lecce winning eight of the sixteen encounters overall.
The stakes are high for Lecce, who seek to extend their unbeaten streak to four matches for the first time this season. They have not achieved this feat since last spring. A victory could not only lift them higher up the table but also boost their confidence significantly. Lecce's performances indicate they are slowly recovering momentum, especially after late-game disappointments like the draw against Monza.
For their part, the upcoming match offers Udinese another chance to improve upon their impressive run with several key players showing fine form. Winning would mark their first time reaching at least 36 points by the 26th matchday since the 2012/13 season.
Fans can watch the Lecce vs. Udinese match live on DAZN, either through their smart TVs or by streaming on mobile devices, ensuring they don’t miss any of the action. The match promises to be as competitive as it is pivotal for both teams, with roles and objectives markedly different.
Tonight's encounter is not just another match; it's pivotal for Lecce's aspirations of avoiding relegation and fundamental for Udinese's hopes of climbing the table. For spectators, it marks another exciting chapter of Serie A.