Lecce’s grip on Serie A survival continues to loosen after a crushing 3-0 defeat at home to Como, who now sit comfortably above the drop zone thanks to an Assane Diao double and a rare header from Edoardo Goldaniga.
For the Salentini, it was a critical relegation clash made worse by the long-term absences of Gaby Jean and Filip Marchwinski, both ruled out for the season after undergoing knee surgery.
Como boss Cesc Fabregas also had his share of injury woes, missing key players Sergi Roberto and Alberto Dossena for the rest of the campaign.
The visitors threatened early, with Wladimiro Falcone pulling off a superb diving save to claw away Nico Paz’s curling effort destined for the far top corner.
Lecce thought they had opened the scoring just seven minutes in, but Nikola Krstovic’s strike was quickly ruled out for offside following Antonino Gallo’s lofted ball.
Tasos Douvikas kept Falcone busy with a firm effort, and Tete Morente’s stunning volley from the edge of the area demanded a desperate reflex save from Jean Butez.
Another golden opportunity fell to Douvikas, who latched onto a pass from Jean Ikone and sent a low angled shot trickling just wide of the far post.
Como eventually made the breakthrough when Assane Diao timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap, a decision confirmed by VAR, before latching onto Nico Paz’s through ball and slotting past the on-rushing Falcone.
Before halftime, Alex Valle limped off with an injury, while Goldaniga was alert at the other end to nod away a Santiago Pierotti header that was looping dangerously under the bar.
Lecce nearly pulled level when Kialonda Gaspar couldn’t quite connect with a teasing free kick from Morente, and Butez once again kept Como in front with a fingertip save on another Morente effort from distance.
Penalty shouts rang out from the home side when Oliver Kempf clattered into Krstovic’s back, but VAR opted against awarding a spot-kick, ruling that the contact occurred outside the area.
N’Dri also tried his luck with a shot using the outside of his boot, forcing Butez into yet another smart stop.
But Como sealed the result late on when Goldaniga nodded in a Lucas Da Cunha free kick at the back post, marking his first Serie A goal in four years.
The Lecce faithful didn’t hide their frustration, directing furious chants at both the club’s management and players.
Como nearly bagged a third moments later when Gabrielloni’s quick strike skimmed just wide, but it wasn’t long before the final blow arrived.
In stoppage time, Gabriel Strefezza found Diao with a precise slide-rule pass, and the winger curled a composed finish into the far bottom corner with the inside of his right boot from the edge of the area.
Krstovic kept pushing till the end, firing a low free kick inches wide, but it was Como who celebrated a third straight Serie A win as Lecce’s relegation fears deepened.
