Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone admits Samuel Umtiti struggled when he arrived on loan from Barcelona because he hadn’t played for a long time and warns Juventus ahead of today’s meeting in Serie A.

The Giallorossi were promoted from Serie B in 2021-22 and made one of the most surprising signings in the summer transfer window by loaning Umtiti from Barcelona.

The France international has only played two games so far, recovering his best fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines at Camp Nou.

“The defence is fantastic. Umtiti, Pongracic, Baschirotto have quality. Umtiti hadn’t played regularly for a long time so he was a bit affected,” Falcone told Gazzetta.

“Baschirotto is an example of how to work. This club is like a family.”

Why did Falcone join Lecce on loan last summer?

“I wanted to leave Liguria and move south to a club full of enthusiasm,” he said.

Spezia wanted to buy me permanently, but I wanted to leave a door open to Samp, where I grew up as a footballer. I joined Lecce on loan, and I can’t deny that I still feel a bit Blucerchiato.”

Today, the newly-promoted side hosts an injury-hit Juventus at the Stadio Via Del Mare and the Italian goalkeeper suggests his team should be written off.

“We must improve the final pass, our coach Baroni is helping us so much. He speaks to us, we are only lacking a club-owned training centre,” he said.

“We are not the favourite, but when we play at home, everything is possible.”

Falcone also spoke about his idol, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who he hopes to meet in person one day.

“Courtois is my idol, and I’d like to know him one day. I think that in Italy, Vicario is doing better than anyone else. Then I see Caprile and Carnesecchi doing well. However, the best goalkeeper in Serie A is Maignan.”

Lecce earned eight points in the opening 11 Serie A games this season, winning one game, losing and drawing five.

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