Udinese secured three valuable points against Lecce with a narrow 1-0 victory at the Via del Mare on February 21, 2025, thanks to a contentious penalty converted by Lucca.
The contest saw Udinese take the lead midway through the first half when referee Bonacina awarded them a penalty after consulting VAR for what he determined was a foul by Lecce’s Jean on Lovric. The incident sparked considerable outrage from Lecce players and coaching staff, who perceived the decision as unjust.
Lucca, amid discussions among teammates about who should take the penalty, seized the opportunity to score, igniting debates over team dynamics and leadership. His solo celebration, without any support from his teammates, raised eyebrows and later led to his substitution, accused by coach Runjaic of disregarding team roles.
Lecce, fresh from three positive results, struggled to respond effectively following the penalty. Coach Marco Giampaolo fielded his usual attacking trio of Pierotti, Krstovic, and Morente but found it tough against the defensive setup of Udinese.
Giampaolo criticized the penalty decision vehemently, stating, “That’s not even what you’d call soft contact, it’s absurd. We were putting pressure and the match remained balanced.” This sentiment echoed through the entire Lecce camp, frustrated by not only the referee's decision but by VAR's involvement, which they felt significantly shifted the game's momentum.
After Lucca's penalty goal at the 32-minute mark, the visitors controlled play but failed to capitalize on several opportunities to extend their lead. Lecce's Falcone was kept busy but made several key saves to deny Udinese’s efforts to increase their advantage.
Throughout the match, Lecce attempted to establish dominance but often found themselves thwarted by Udinese's well-organized defense. Various protests for penalties from Lecce during the match were adamantly turned down by the referee, including what they thought was another foul by Payero.
After the halftime break, Lecce made changes, substituting Rafia and Pierotti for Berisha and Karlsson, but the changes failed to inject the energy and scoring threat needed. Meanwhile, Udinese's Runjaic, having seen his side stifle Lecce’s advances, made tactical substitutions to encase their narrow lead.
Runjaic defended Lucca, acknowledging the quality of the penalty but emphasizing the need for adherence to team rules. “He scored a perfect penalty, but his actions prior were unacceptable. There’s always a hierarchy, and it has to be respected.”
The game waned with Udinese appearing more comfortable, managing the clock and resources efficiently to maintain their slender lead. Even as Lecce pushed forward desperately, they couldn't break through the well-drilled Udinese defense, losing 1-0.
Lecce is now left sitting at 25 points, dangerously close to the relegation zone, raising alarms over their upcoming fixtures and performances heading forward. Giampaolo called for more fight and focus from his players, emphasizing the need to avoid falling back and to gather points to climb out of perilous positions.
Conversely, the win boosted Udinese to 36 points, providing them safety and stability amid fluctuated performances throughout the season. Fans will be left debating the controversial moments of the match, but the three points will be viewed as pivotal for the team’s ambitions this season.
Finally, the match raised significant discussions about VAR's role and referee decisions, something both clubs will be addressing as the season progresses.