Lecce ready for anything: salvation? It's possible

LECCE - It had to be a victory and it was a victory. The success achieved against Torino has allowed Lecce to postpone all the verdicts of the fight for salvation to the last round of the championship, remaining attached to its possibilities of maintaining the category. It will not be easy, the Giallorossi know it very well, who among the teams fighting to remain in Serie A are expected by the most challenging commitment on the last day, away against Lazio.

But Sunday's victory has restored morale and confidence to a team that hadn't scored a win since January 31 and now wants to use all its energy to earn its third consecutive salvation. With Torino came a victory of character, a 1-0 secured more by nerves than by play, in a match decided by a feat by Ylber Ramadani. But all that mattered was winning, without frills. Coach Marco Giampaolo knew this well, and he underlined it at the end of the match against the Granata: "We had no alternatives to winning. We had to win to create another opportunity for ourselves on the last day. We only think about ourselves, about our match, even though we are aware of the difficulties that will arise. When fate offers you a chance, you have to play it to the end."

So what does Lecce need to achieve safety at the end of the next ninety minutes? First of all, the situation at the bottom of the table is rather intricate, with five teams still involved: Verona, Parma, Lecce, Empoli and Venezia. Verona and Parma have the advantage of three and two points from the red zone, respectively. But they cannot yet say they are safe and could be sucked down if a series of misunderstandings occur.

In the chaos of the various calculations, Lecce has one certainty: beating Lazio (certainly easier said than done) would be salvation, regardless of the results of the others. Obtaining the three points with the Biancocelesti, the Giallorossi would rise to 34 points in the standings and would be certain of leaving behind at least one between Empoli and Verona, who will face each other in the direct clash on the last day. The Salento team has an important advantage in the case of arrival between several teams with equal points, since they are ahead in the direct clashes against all their direct rivals in the race for salvation.

Among the various combinations, in fact, there is the possibility that four teams (Empoli, Parma, Verona and Lecce) or three teams (Empoli, Verona and Lecce, or Empoli, Venezia and Lecce) could end up tied on points. In both scenarios, complex but plausible, the separate standings would be calculated, which would see Lecce safe. There is also the possibility that Lecce and Empoli end up tied on points and in that case it would be a play-off between Salento and Tuscany. Therefore, all things considered, only in the case of three points at Lazio's home could the Giallorossi celebrate safety regardless of the fate of others. In the case of a result other than a victory, they would be forced to look at the results of the others, especially Venezia and above all Empoli. While Lecce will take to the field at the Olimpico, Empoli will face Verona at home and Venezia will host Juventus, while Parma will visit Atalanta. Giampaolo's team will find on the other side of the pitch a Lazio more motivated than ever to end the season with a win to fuel their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, which depend on a negative result for Juventus and Roma.

With the destinies of the fight for survival and the fight for European placements intertwined, everything will be decided on Sunday evening at 8:45 p.m., when six games will be played simultaneously. Lecce, aware of the importance of what is at stake, does not want to leave any stone unturned and will be in retreat in Rome from Thursday. The Giallorossi, after the victory obtained against Torino, met yesterday morning for a training session at the «Via del Mare». Recovery work for those who took to the field on Sunday, while the rest of the group carried out regular training. Only Jean and Marchwinski were absent, while Burnete carried out personalized work. Today Giampaolo granted a day of rest. The team's work will resume on Wednesday morning and will continue on Thursday, again in the morning, before moving to Rome in the afternoon, for a retreat at the Mancini Park Hotel.