Lecce`s goalkeeper proves decisive, thwarting Genoa`s clearest chances as Di Francesco`s side displays a more spirited performance.
Genoa’s Valentin Carboni fights for the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Lecce at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy – Saturday, August 23, 2025. (Photo by Tano Pecoraro/Lapresse)
Genoa played with some restraint, showing effectiveness only in bursts. Lecce, on the other hand, presented a solid and tenacious front, successfully limiting space for an opponent that already boasts a well-defined squad. This is why the goalless draw at the Ferraris Stadium holds greater significance for Di Francesco`s men, who earned a valuable point while awaiting further transfer market opportunities to strengthen their squad. In the clash between Colombo and Camarda, two former AC Milan youth prodigies, the Lecce player arguably made a more notable impact than his rival. However, the void left by Krstovic`s departure was evident tonight.
Tactical Choices
On an evening when Genoa honored Sidio Corradi, a revered former Grifone player from the 1970s who passed away at eighty, with a minute of silence, coach Vieira confirmed Marcandalli in the four-man defense alongside Norton-Cuffy on the right flank. Colombo was preferred over Vitinha as the lone striker in the Rossoblù`s 4-2-3-1 formation. Di Francesco, meanwhile, had to contend with the absence of recent signing Alex Sala, who only arrived in Puglia on Friday night. He opted for Veiga at right-back (replacing Kouassi) and entrusted Ramadani with the midfield`s orchestrator role (Pierret was left out). Berisha was chosen ahead of Helgason as the left central midfielder, and Banda received renewed faith following his Coppa Italia expulsion against Juve Stabia.
Spirited Visitors
Di Francesco`s early tactical decision to position Gallo high up the pitch to prevent Carboni from advancing proved effective. The Pugliesi started at a high tempo, coming close to an opener in the 4th minute with a shot from Morente towards the near post. Lecce appealed for a penalty, but Vasquez deflected the ball for a corner with his right shoulder, both hands behind his back. Referee Massa`s decision was correct. The Rossoblù, appearing somewhat timid and with disconnected departments, struggled. The visitors capitalized, aggressively attacking Genoa`s flanks, making it difficult for the Grifone to break out of their own half. Masini and Frendrup found themselves in a no-man`s land for the first half, yielding no results. Lecce maintained a compact shape, pressed intensely, and attacked wide. Banda had a good opportunity in the 14th minute, but his cross-shot went wide. A minute later, Leali delayed his clearance too long, and Coulibaly narrowly missed capitalizing. Genoa was effectively “caged,” with Lecce`s trident functioning well, while Vieira`s men relied on sporadic bursts. Masini broke through on the left, forcing Banda into a foul that earned him a yellow card. It was only after the half-hour mark, partly due to less pressure from Camarda and his teammates, that Genoa gained ground and started to exert more consistent pressure on Lecce. In the 33rd minute, Gronbaek found a gap, set up Stanciu, whose left-footed volley from a rebound went wide. The best chance of the first half for the Rossoblù then arrived: Gronbaek found Frendrup, who produced a back-heel flick for a completely unmarked Carboni. Carboni aimed for the far corner, but Falcone made an excellent diving save to tip it wide for a corner.
Stalemate Ensues
The second half saw a more balanced contest and a somewhat stagnant match. Di Francesco`s decision to swap wingers Banda and Morente yielded little effect. Vieira`s team, however, appeared more lively, pushing their defensive line higher and compacting their formation, despite Lecce being more cautious and less threatening than they had been in the first half. At the peak of the home team`s pressure, referee Massa had to halt play in the 21st minute due to two smoke bombs being thrown onto the pitch from the Genoa stands. Vieira then brought on Messias for Gronbaek, but even the Brazilian`s quality wasn`t enough to break the deadlock. Di Francesco responded by removing Veiga, Berisha, and Banda, introducing Kouassi, Kaba, and Sottil as a false nine. The match remained deadlocked until midway through the second half, as Lecce seemed content to manage the game, and Genoa lacked the impetus to land a decisive blow. It was at this point that Vieira introduced Ekhator and Ellertsson to create space up front, shifting to a 4-3-3 formation. More attacking vigor was needed; Ekhator won a free-kick just outside the box in the final moments (35th minute), but specialist Stanciu fired wide. It was too little, too late: the match effectively ended there. Vieira must now find a way to increase his team`s tempo, while Di Francesco can breathe a sigh of relief, deservedly so.
