Florian Thauvin’s debut goal in Serie A was not enough for Udinese to win their first match this season as Roberto Piccoli equalised for Lecce after coming off the bench in the second half.
Udinese had a shaky start and saw Lecce winger Gabriel Strefezza come close to scoring with a curler from the edge of the box that was inches wide.
The Bianconeri replied with Isaac Success and Hassane Kamara, but attempts from both players were saved by Lecce keeper Wladimiro Falcone before the break.
The hosts continued pushing in the second half. Success wasted another chance sending a header wide from a Festy Ebosele cross. The 21-year-old seemed unstoppable down the right flank and created another goal-scoring opportunity shortly afterwards.
He delivered a second cross for Success, Federico Baschirotto didn’t let the ball in with a goal-line clearance, but Valentin Gendrey stepped on Roberto Pereyra’s foot in the rebound, causing a penalty kick for Udinese.
Thauvin sent Falcone the wrong way from the spot, giving the Bianconeri the lead.
Andrea Sottil’s men kept possession and continued pushing, but didn’t create much. Roberto D’Aversa turned Lecce’s fortunes around with substitutions. Nicola Sansone and Roberto Piccoli were introduced at minute 77 and contributed to the Giallorossi’s equaliser five minutes later.
The former Bologna winger put a cross inside the box, Piccoli squeezed between Udinese defenders and stretched his leg to score an Erling Haaland-style goal, his first for Lecce since moving to the Stadio Via Del Mare on loan from Atalanta last summer.
The eventual 1-1 draw means Udinese remain the only Serie A team with no wins this season alongside Salernitana and Cagliari. The Bianconeri are only two points above Empoli in 18th, but the Tuscans have a game in hand.
Lecce haven’t won any of the last four games, but have earned 13 points in nine matches, as many as Lazio, and one more than Monza and Frosinone.
Player statistic
| Christian Kabasele |  |
5' | ||
| 34' | |
Ylber Ramadani |
| Florian Thauvin |  |
49' | ||
| 72' | |
Marin Pongracic | ||
| 72' | |
Federico Baschirotto | ||
| 75' | |
Patrick Dorgu | ||
| Florian Thauvin | |
77' | ||
| 83' |  |
Roberto Piccoli (Assist: Nicola Sansone) | ||
| 84' | |
Valentin Gendrey | ||
| Festy Ebosele | |
90+1' |
Match statistic
