First Serie A goal for Gandelman and a stunning winner from Banda seal a crucial Matchday 24 victory at the Via del Mare.
Lecce picked up a massive three points in their fight for survival, edging past Udinese 2–1 thanks to a spectacular late free kick from Lameck Banda. The win moves Lecce three points clear of the relegation zone, while Udinese see their two-game winning streak come to an end.
The hosts started on the front foot and were rewarded almost immediately. In the 5th minute, a disastrous defensive sequence from Udinese proved decisive: Solet lost possession cheaply, Karlström slipped in midfield, and Gandelman kept his composure to slot home from the edge of the area, scoring his first-ever Serie A goal.
Udinese tried to respond through set pieces, with Sottil narrowly missing the target from a free kick, but the visitors found their way back into the game midway through the first half. Atta produced a moment of quality to release Zemura down the flank, and Gaspar’s late challenge inside the box left the referee with no choice. From the spot, Solet showed great composure, converting confidently to atone for his earlier mistake and level the score at 1–1.
After the break, Lecce showed greater attacking intent, pushing Udinese deeper and forcing Runjaic to shuffle his options from the bench. Despite some nervous moments in the stands following Di Francesco’s conservative substitutions, the home side continued to probe for a winner.
Gandelman came agonizingly close to doubling his tally when his deflected effort crashed against the crossbar, but Lecce’s persistence was finally rewarded at the death. In the 90th minute, Banda stepped up and delivered a textbook free kick, curling the ball past Okoye to spark wild celebrations at the Via del Mare and release the tension built up over the final stages.
The final whistle confirmed a vital victory for Lecce, who gain breathing room in the relegation battle, while Udinese are left to reflect on costly individual errors that ultimately proved decisive.
Match Report: Lecce 2–1 Udinese
Scorers:
5’ Gandelman (Lecce), 26’ Solet (pen.) (Udinese), 90’ Banda (Lecce)
Lecce (4-2-3-1):
Falcone; Veiga, Gaspar, Tiago Gabriel, Gallo; Ramadani, Coulibaly; Pierotti (Banda 68’), Gandelman (Siebert 92’), Sottil (N’Dri 77’); Cheddira (Stulic 77’).
Head coach: Eusebio Di Francesco.
Udinese (3-5-2):
Okoye; Bertola, Kristensen, Solet; Ehizibue (Kabasele 86’), Miller (Zaniolo 64’), Karlström (Buksa 92’), Ekkelenkamp (Zarraga 86’), Zemura; Bayo (Gueye 64’), Atta.
Head coach: Kosta Runjaic.
Referee: Rapuano
Yellow cards: Bertola, Gueye (Udinese); Banda (Lecce)
