Primavera 1 2025/26 | Lecce win at the 'Deghi Center'

San Pietro in Lama (LE) – Lecce defeated Hellas Verona 3-2 at the ‘Deghi Center’ in matchday 35 of the Primavera 1 2025/26 season.

The match got off to an early start with Lecce taking the lead in the 5th minute: Laerke broke through on the left wing and delivered a dangerous cross into the box. The Gialloblù defense attempted to clear through Mussola, but the ball fell to Esposito, who scored from close range.

Verona tried to respond in the 7th minute with a good through ball from Akale to Dezio, who struck with his right foot but failed to keep his shot down.

In the 14th minute, a big chance for the visitors: Akale once again set up Dezio in the center of the box, but his effort was well saved by Penev. On the rebound, Akale attempted a long-range shot, but it went off target.

Lecce threatened again in the 16th minute, but Feola made two crucial goal-line clearances, first denying Esposito and then Laerke.

Verona equalized in the 25th minute: Akale created space once more and passed to Peci, whose powerful strike from the edge of the box hit the post and went in, making it 1-1.

After two minutes of added time, the first half ended level.

The second half began with Verona taking the lead in the 50th minute: a long ball found Mussola, who attacked the space on the left, controlled the ball, and beat Penev at the near post with a left-footed finish.

Lecce responded immediately and equalized in the 55th minute: Laerke reached the byline and delivered a precise cross for Esposito, who volleyed home with his right foot to make it 2-2.

In the 69th minute, the home side regained the lead: a move down the right by Rashidi resulted in a cross into the box, where Esteban’s decisive touch beat Tommasi.

Verona tried to react in the 78th minute with a lay-off from Akale for De Rossi, whose long-range effort went over the bar.

Late on, in the 90+2 minute, Lecce nearly scored again through Perrone, but Tommasi made a good save, tipping the ball out for a corner.

After six minutes of added time, the final whistle blew at 90+6: Lecce secured a 3-2 victory over Verona at the ‘Deghi Center’.

Verona’s next match will be on Saturday, May 2 at 11 AM, when they host Napoli at the ‘Olivieri’ Stadium in matchday 36 of the Primavera 1 Championship.

LECCE-HELLAS VERONA 3-2
Goals: 5’, 55’ Esposito; 25’ Peci; 50’ Mussola; 69’ Esteban

LECCE: Penev; Rashidi (Kozarac 87’), Scott, Pehlivanov, Pacia, Laerke, Staszak (Spinelli 63’), Di Pasquale, Flies (Milojevic 77’), Esteban (Perrone 87’), Esposito (Skovgaard 87’)
Unused subs: Lupo, Lucarella, Persano, Marrocco, Maiotti, Plamieri
Head coach: Simone Schipa

HELLAS VERONA (3-5-2): Tommasi; Feola, Barry, Tagne (Garofalo 70’); Szimionas, Cavazza (De Rossi 58’), Yildiz, Peci (Mendolia 85’), Mussola (De Battisti 70’); Akale, Dezio (Casagrande 58’)
Unused subs: Castagnini, Culi, Intrabartolo, Stella, Bortolotti, Fabbri
Head coach: Alessandro Montorio

Referee: Alessandro Recchia (AIA section of Brindisi)
Assistants: Giovanni Francesco Massari (AIA section of Molfetta), Angelo Tomasi (AIA section of Lecce)

Notes: Yellow cards: 53’ Dezio, 60’ Esteban, 65’ Tagne, 84’ Pacia.