Key Takeaways
- US Lecce defeated AC Pisa 1909 2-1 in an away match in Serie A.
- AC Pisa 1909 are now mathematically relegated to Serie B with only 18 points from 35 matches.
- Lameck Banda and Walid Cheddira scored for Lecce, who moved four points above the relegation places.
US Lecce earned a vital 2-1 win against AC Pisa 1909 on Sunday. The result secures Lecce’s place in the top flight for next season and confirms Pisa’s drop to Serie B.
Pisa entered the match needing a victory to survive. However, the defeat leaves them at the bottom of the table with just 18 points and only two wins all season.
The home side started the match with energy. Forward Filip Stojilkovic and centre-back Simone Canestrelli both created good chances in the opening minutes. But Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone produced two fine stops to keep the scores level.
Lecce grew into the contest as the first half developed. Zambian winger Lameck Banda became a constant danger on the left flank with his pace and dribbling.
Banda broke the deadlock shortly after the restart. He collected the ball from a swift counter-attack and controlled it well. The midfielder then fired a low strike past Pisa goalkeeper Adrian Semper to give Lecce a 1-0 lead.
Pisa responded positively and found an equaliser in the 56th minute. Winger Mehdi Leris reacted fastest inside the penalty area and smashed a first-time shot into the bottom corner.
The game remained balanced for only seven minutes. In the 63rd minute, Santiago Pierotti slipped a pass through to Walid Cheddira. The Moroccan striker ran clear of the defence and calmly slotted the ball past Semper to make it 2-1.
Pisa pushed hard for a late leveller. Substitute Gabriele Piccinini came close with a powerful effort, but Falcone made another crucial save. Lecce also had a third goal ruled out for offside in the closing stages.
The final whistle confirmed a sad end to the season for Pisa, who will play in the second tier next year. Meanwhile, US Lecce climb four points clear of 18th-placed Cremonese and look safe from relegation.