Serie A

Sassuolo vs. Lecce, head-to-head for survival

Sassuolo in second to last need to win and move up the table, Lecce sit six points ahead and will want to put more distance behind them

After Verona vs. Udinese yesterday evening, Matchday 33 sees another fight for survival: Sassuolo vs. Lecce. The Neroverdi come off the back of three consecutive draws against Udinese, Salernitana, and AC Milan that moved things around in the table, but not enough for Ballardini’s lads to get out of the penultimate position or the relegation zone. They need a win against Lecce, who have picked up 7 points in 4 games since Gotti came in, making a huge step forward. The Salento side will want another three points after the win over direct rivals Empoli last weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

Only Salernitana (22) have conceded more goals in the final 15 minutes of games than Sassuolo in Serie A this season (18); meanwhile, Lecce have scored a league-high 41% of their goals in this timeframe (11/27). In 2024, only Napoli (six) have scored more goals than Sassuolo (four) following a high turnover in Serie A, including two of the three scored in their last match against Milan.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Sassuolo have achieved three wins and two draws in five Serie A matches against Lecce, they have only faced SPAL more often without ever losing in the competition (6: W4 D2). Sassuolo won their first two Serie A home matches against Lecce, who could become the fourth team beaten by the Neroverdi in their first three home matches in the competition, after Crotone, Empoli and Milan.

PLAYERS

Armand Laurienté has scored three goals in his last two Serie A matches, as many as in his previous 40 appearances; the Sassuolo striker has never scored for three games in a row in the competition and the last Neroverde to do so was Andrea Pinamonti in September. Nicola Sansone (84 games and 17 goals in Serie A with the Sassuolo shirt, between 2014 and 2016) has scored two goals and provided two assists in this Serie A season, all coming on as a substitute during the match; among those who have at least two goals and two assists in this Serie A, only Marko Arnautovic (three) has started fewer games than the Lecce striker (four).

DISCIPLINE

Suspended: Almqvist (Lecce) Cautioned: Pedersen, Laurientè, Ferrari, Ruan (Sassuolo); Pedro, Rafia, Piccoli (Lecce)

REFEREE

Doveri (Rossi L.-Scatragli) IV: Santoro, Var: Pairetto, Avar: Irrati

UPCOMING MATCHES IN SERIE A TIM

Fiorentina-Sassuolo, (Sunday 28 April, 20:45 CEST) Lecce-Monza, (Saturday 27 April, 15:00 CEST) (Photo LaPresse)