On December 15, 2024, Lecce secured a much-needed 2-1 victory over Monza at the Via del Mare stadium, propelling the Salentini to 16 points and bringing them closer to Serie A survival. The match was marked by moments of brilliance and mishaps, reflecting the intense battle for relegation as both teams struggled to find consistency this season.
The game kicked off positively for Lecce, with Tete Morente finding the net just three minutes after the whistle. A well-timed through ball from Medon Berisha caught the Monza defence off guard, allowing Morente to slot the ball past Monza’s goalkeeper Stefano Turati.
Despite the early lead, Lecce's momentum was temporarily halted when Nikola Krstovic missed a penalty just ten minutes later, as he shot low during the 13th minute but failed to evade Turati's hands. This was Krstovic's third missed attempt from the penalty spot out of four for the season, bringing tension to the home crowd.
Monza capitalised on Lecce's lapse, equalising just before the half-time whistle. Patrick Dorgu, who had earlier been involved in winning the penalty, had the unfortunate distinction of scoring an own goal at the 37-minute mark. Trying to clear the danger from his area, Dorgu misjudged his back pass, which sailed over goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone and rolled slowly across the line, leveling the score at 1-1.
Just before half-time, though, the excitement returned for the home side. Krstovic redeemed himself after his penalty miss by scoring the winning goal on the 44th minute. Following another brilliant assist by Pierotti, he fired home, making it 2-1 at the interval.
The second half saw Monza attempting to push forward, searching for another equaliser. Lecce, under the management of Marco Giampaolo, looked to solidify their defence. Although Monza had two major penalty claims during the half—one initially awarded for Guilbert's handball and another for Forson's challenge on Rebic—both were overturned after VAR intervention, much to the frustration of the visiting fans.
Monza's persistent attack was led by Daniel Maldini and Dany Mota, both of whom had decent chances to score. Yet, due to Lecce's organised defensive play combined with solid saves from Falcone, Monza was unable to convert any opportunities.
With this victory, Lecce temporarily climbed to the 13th spot on the Serie A table, showcasing notable progress under Giampaolo, who has now collected seven points from his first four matches. Conversely, Monza remains mired at the bottom of the table with just 10 points, exacerbated by their disappointing away form. Coach Alessandro Nesta faces mounting pressure as his side recorded their eighth defeat of the season.
While Lecce prepares for their next encounter against Lazio, the road only gets tougher for Monza as they gear up to face the formidable Juventus. The juxtaposition of these two teams’ performances is telling of the competitive nature of Serie A, where the stakes are high and every match can pivot the season's outcome.
Fans at the Via del Mare Stadium experienced the highs and lows of football encapsulated within this match, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of their teams battling for survival. The next matches will be pivotal as both squads look to strengthen their respective standings heading toward the second half of the Serie A season.
