Sassuolo earned a surprise victory away to high-flying Lecce thanks to a deflected Kristian Thorstvedt header on Domenico Berardi’s corner, but the hosts will regret wasted opportunities.
There were only three points separating these teams going in, but unexpectedly it was newly-promoted Lecce who had the upper hand after their shock victory away to Atalanta. Federico Di Francesco was suspended for the hosts against his former club, with Samuel Umtiti back in the squad. The Neroverdi had Armand Laurienté sitting out a ban, with Mert Muldur and Jeremy Toljan injured, but Domenico Berardi had shaken off a knock.
Lameck Banda had a shot charged down on an early counter-attack, while Wladimiro Falcone got one hand down to a Nedim Bajrami angled drive.
Ruan Tressoldi really should’ve put Sassuolo in front on 29 minutes from a corner routine, but turned the free header wide from close range.
Gabriel Strefezza drilled just past the near post and Remi Oudin’s half-volley went off target, but Sassuolo took the lead somewhat against the run of play.
Berardi hit an in-swinging corner that glanced the head of Kristian Thorstvedt, also taking a deflection off Lecce player Morten Hjulmand on the way past Falcone.
Bajrami’s long-range free kick dipped viciously, but Strefezza missed an absolute sitter on 82 minutes when somehow turning wide from 10 yards, undisturbed on the Oudin pull-back.
Strefezza at least seemed to have his attempt on target in stoppages from a Lorenzo Colombo assist, but Martin Erlic charged it down.
Lecce 0-1 Sassuolo
Thorstvedt 65 (S)
Player statistic
| Lameck Banda |  |
17' | ||
| 22' | |
Domenico Berardi | ||
| 35' | |
Pedro Obiang |
| 65' |  |
Kristian Thorstvedt (Assist: Domenico Berardi) | ||
| Federico Baschirotto | |
74' |
Match statistic
