Lecce pull off a major upset at the Franchi thanks to Berisha’s first-half strike, while Falcone shines and Fiorentina continue their alarming slide down the Serie A table.
Fiorentina’s nightmare start to the season continued with a 1–0 home defeat to Lecce, a result that leaves Stefano Pioli’s side in deep trouble and without answers. The visitors, disciplined and compact, struck midway through the first half through Berisha and held firm thanks to a superb performance from goalkeeper Falcone.
The match’s only goal arrived in the 23rd minute: Morente whipped in a precise cross from the right, and Berisha connected with a sharp volley from close range to beat De Gea. The Viola reacted but were wasteful — Džeko and Ranieri both missed clear chances before halftime.
In the second half, Fiorentina pushed forward but found Falcone in imperious form. The Lecce keeper denied Džeko and Kean, while Pioli’s substitutes failed to change the rhythm of the game. The frustration peaked late on when Ranieri went down in the box under contact from Pierotti; referee Rapuano initially awarded a penalty but reversed his decision after a VAR review.
At full time, boos rained down from the stands as Fiorentina’s crisis deepened. For Lecce, it was a statement victory — and further proof that Di Francesco’s team can compete with anyone when organized and confident.
Match Report
Serie A – Matchday 10
Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi (Florence)
Scorer:
- 23’ Berisha (Lecce)
Fiorentina (3-5-2): De Gea; Comuzzo (77′ Fazzini), Pongračić, Ranieri; Dodò, Ndour (46′ Gudmundsson), Nicolussi Caviglia (46′ Sohm), Fagioli (46′ Mandragora), Fortini; Kean, Džeko (59′ Piccoli).
Coach: Pioli
Lecce (4-3-3): Falcone; Veiga, Tiago Gabriel, Gaspar, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani, Berisha (76′ Maleh); Morente (89′ Kaba), Stulic (89′ Camarda), Banda (73′ Pierotti).
Coach: Di Francesco
Referee: Rapuano
Bookings: Nicolussi Caviglia (Fiorentina), Fagioli (Fiorentina), Veiga (Lecce), Kean (Fiorentina), Ranieri (Fiorentina)
Notes: VAR overturned a penalty initially awarded to Fiorentina in the 87th minute
