Lecce scored two goals in 120 seconds to stun Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio at the Stadio Via del Mare, despite the Ciro Immobile opener.
Maurizio Sarri stuck with the old guard to start the new season, bringing in only Daichi Kamada, while new Lecce coach Roberto D’Aversa had Antonino Gallo struggling with an ankle injury in the Coppa Italia last week.
Gabriel Strefezza drilled inches wide from the edge of the area and Lameck Banda forced a save out of Ivan Provedel, as the Lecce cross-field passes caused problems for Lazio’s defenders.
The Aquile took the lead with their first real opportunity, as Luis Alberto burst forward from midfield and rolled it across from the right for Immobile to come sliding in before the goalkeeper. It was his eighth season in a row scoring in the opening weekend and his 200th goal in the top five European leagues.
A well-worked move sent Manuel Lazzari down the right and his angled drive was well parried by Wladimiro Falcone, while Ylber Ramadani ballooned over the bar from a great position after the restart.
Strefezza’s strike was straight at Provedel and Felipe Anderson fired wide when sent clear by Immobile’s slide-rule pass. Lecce poured forward with Alessio Romagnoli blocking the Hamza Rafia effort, but Luis Alberto threatened to score with a trademark in-swinging corner.
Provedel was right behind Banda and Ramadani attempts, but Falcone made an extraordinary reaction save to tip the Immobile finish onto the upright from Pedro’s assist.
It proved decisive, as moments later the game was turned completely on its head. First Pontus Almqvist controlled a loose ball from the edge of the box for a splendid volley, then moments later it was Federico Di Francesco who reacted quickest to score from 12 yards on a ball that was bobbling around in the box.
Lecce 2-1 Lazio
Immobile 26 (La), Almqvist 85 (Le), Di Francesco 87 (Le)