Serie A | Lecce 2-1 Torino: Asllani misses last chance to draw level

Goals from Lassana Coulibaly and Lameck Banda sent Lecce on their way to a 2-1 victory over Torino in Serie A on Sunday afternoon, despite a second-half strike from Che Adams and an opportunity for Kristjan Asllani to level from the penalty spot in the final minute.

The hosts were without Gaby Jean, Filip Marchwinski, Matias Perez and Balthazar Pierret, while Torino had to do without Ardian Ismajli, Giovanni Simeone and the long-term absentee Perr Schuurs. 

Click here to read more about how the teams lined up.

It was a quickfire double that sent Lecce into a first-half lead at the Via del Mare: Medon Berisha’s 20th-minute corner was met by the head of Coulibaly within the six-yard box for 1-0. 

The Salentini doubled their advantage with their following attack of the game, Berisha involved again. The Albania international wriggled past Cesare Casadei, carried the ball to the edge of the area before crossing to Banda to tap home at the far post. 

The Toro deficit was halved just over 10 minutes into the second half when Banda ran into Guillermo Maripan with a heavy touch. The ball fell for Nikola Vlasic, who carried it from his own half to the edge of the area, where he squared to Adams, whose shot took a big deflection on its way into the far corner. 

Torino had a glorious opportunity to restore their advantage just before the 90th minute. Saul Coco was clipped by Tete Morente in the Lecce penalty area from a corner, which required a three-minute long VAR check before a penalty was awarded.

Asllani stepped up to do the honours for thee visitors, in the 90th minute eventually, but his penalty was poorly hit, right where the goalkeeper wanted it, halfway between the middle of the net and the corner.

This was Eusebio Di Francesco’s first home victory back in charge of Lecce, and just his third in Serie A so far this season. His side are now up to 14th place in the league table, just one point and two positions behind Torino in 14th.

Lecce 2-1 Torino 

Coulibaly (L) 20’, Banda (L) 22’, Adams (T) 57’.