Lazio vs. Lecce, between Europe and survival

90 minutes to achieve their respective aims: Lazio and Lecce are ready to meet on the final matchday in Serie A Enilive. The Biancocelesti, who were surpassed by Roma last week, need to win and hope for favourable results elsewhere to clinch a place in the top four. However, Lecce also need three points, with the Salentini aware that a win would guarantee survival.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Lazio have won their last two Serie A games against Lecce and have not achieved three consecutive wins against them in the competition since between 2001 and 2004, when they collected four victories in a row under Alberto Zaccheroni first and then Roberto Mancini. Lazio have faced Lecce 17 times at home in Serie A, losing only once (W11 D5); the Biancocelesti have had fewer home defeats against teams they have faced at least 15 times at home in the competition only against Empoli (W11 D4).

DID YOU KNOW?

Since mid-February onwards, Lazio have drawn eight of their 13 Serie A matches (W4 L1), more than any other team in the competition during this period. Lecce won their last league match, after a run of 13 games without a win (D5, L8) and have not achieved consecutive wins in Serie A since April 2024. Lecce must win against Lazio to be certain of safety, while in the event of a draw or defeat their fate will depend on the other matches. A draw would be enough for the Biancocelesti to be certain of sixth place. Lazio have scored 22 goals in the last 15 minutes of play, more than any other team in this championship, while Lecce have scored five in the same period, only Empoli (three) have done worse.

PLAYERS

Pedro, who scored a brace in the last league match against Inter, has reached double figures for goals in this championship, at the age of 37 years and 294 days, becoming the sixth oldest player to reach 10 goals in a single Serie A season, after Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Silvio Piola, Fabio Quagliarella, Pietro Ferraris and Luca Toni. Nikola Krstovic has scored a goal and provided an assist in his last two league games, after having had no goal involvements in the previous five; the Lecce striker is currently on 15 in total (11G+4A) and the last Giallorossi player to do better in a Serie A season was Marco Mancosu (16 in 2019/20).

DISCIPLINE

Suspended: Marco Baroni (Lazio); Tete Morente (Lecce) Cautioned: Rovella, Romagnoli (Lazio); Pierotti, Rafia, Ramadani (Lecce)

REFEREE

FABBRI (CARBONE – PERETTI) IV: AYROLDI, VAR: MERAVIGLIA, AVAR: PICCININI (Photo Getty Images)