Lecce got to Serie A through the play-offs
After three years Salentini are back in the elite. If you keep up with Italian football at freebetting.net, you will remember that our Serie B general preview mentioned Lecce as a possible surprise. Although they didn’t have the squad of such quality as Chievo, Bologna, Brescia, Mantova, disciplined and tactically mature play compensated for those handicaps. Together with Bologna Lecce had the toughest defence in the league… Perhaps they deserved direct promotion to Serie A but few weaker games at Via Del Mare in the finish cost them the second place. The justice was done in the play-offs, Lecce were invincible in competition with Brescia, AlbinoLeffe and Pisa and fought their way back to elite without problems. Architect of success was Beppe Papdopulo and experienced coach who truly transformed a fine team into a squad that was a tough nut to crack for any rival. Lecce won matches away with excellent defence, attack relied on excellent Tribocchi who played another good season. Papadopulo didn’t stay on the bench; strange was management’s decision not to extend the cooperation with the excellent coach… The story for the public was that there was a clash between “Papa” and sports director so Mario Beretta, who made a great impression in Siena last year, got the chance. Lecce’s only aim is, of course, to survive in the league, which won’t be easy, especially because the finance is pretty low and there is no money for any big back-ups.
Searching for strikers during the transfer window
Starting with the fact that defense worked great and that there is no reason to make any changes in the back line, the club focused on solving the problems in the offense. They couldn’t allow Tribocchi to be without an alternative since whenever popular Tir was absent last season the team faced problems. Talented Cacia arrived at Via del Mare, a guy who brought everyone's attention to himself by tearing nets in Piacenza jersey two years ago which brought about Fiorentina’s offer. Injuries prevented him from continuing developing his talent in the way it was expected in the last season, so Lecce is a new chance for him. As a support and a valuable option they hired also experienced Castillo who terrorised opposing defences in Serie B last season. Argentinean spent a long time wandering lower Italian leagues only to explode in Pisa jersey. And now, at the age of 33 he will get the chance on the big scene. Uruguayan Giacomazzi came back to the club; he played in Palermo and Empoli last year while Portuguese Antunes came on loan from Roma and he could be the solution for the left side. If you ask for our opinion on the transfer window in Lecce, we can say that the club acted in accordance with humble budget not doing a so good job. It still seems that defence is not experienced enough for a higher rank and keeper Benussikoji, last year's reserve in Siena wasn't the right solution. But what’s done is done, Lecce don’t have much choice, they will rely on their fans and flaming atmosphere at Via Del Mare.
In
Antunes (Roma), Castillo (Pisa), Cacia (Fiorentina), Giacomazzi (Empoli), Caserta (Palermo), Feltscher(Grasshoppers)
Out
Valdes, Abbruscato, Boudianski, Corvia
Our tip
Lecce are one of the biggest relegation contenders. They don’t have enough players for the tough season in Serie A. Usually the enthusiasm in the first year is a foundation for success but a lot will depend on the start. Actually Beretta got the best of Siena last season but as we see it he doesn’t have the capacity to make this team into a squad capable of winning direct rivals at home. A big mistake was letting Papadopulo go, he knows the players capabilities well and he is an expert on the relegation battle. Anyway, Lecce will fight and perhaps if some of the players repeat their best performances, Salentini could survive. We are sceptical about their chances but that doesn’t mean that we are right.
Our tip: Lecce to finish bottom
Odds 3.00
Bookmaker: Bet365
CL
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UEFA
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