Pisa vs Lecce – News and Probable Lineups

With relegation set to be confirmed if they fail to secure a victory on Friday night, Pisa must triumph over fellow relegation battlers Lecce to extend their fight for survival in Serie A for a little while longer.

Though they seem destined for relegation in any scenario, the Nerazzurri will face mathematical demotion if they lose at the Cetilar Arena; conversely, their opponents have a more viable chance of avoiding the drop.

Match overview

After conceding a late goal against Parma last week, Pisa finds themselves at the bottom of the Serie A standings, requiring a remarkable turnaround to escape relegation.

Even if Pisa manages to overcome Lecce in this pivotal fixture, they would still be relegated to Serie B should Cremonese secure a victory against Lazio on Monday.

After returning to Italy’s top tier following a thirty-year absence, the Nerazzurri now find themselves facing a potential sixth relegation in eight seasons, including the last two – 1988-89 and 1990-91.

Underhead coach Oscar Hiljemark, the team has struggled recently, suffering five consecutive defeats while only managing to score once, and no team in the top five European leagues has fewer wins this season.

Having taken over a faltering squad, Hiljemark’s influence has been minimal since his February appointment, with Pisa having achieved just two victories out of 17 home games this term.

This leaves them needing maximum points from the four remaining matches – and even that improbable scenario might not guarantee their survival.

In contrast, Lecce’s chances of staying in Serie A rest solely in their own hands, as they approach the end of their struggle to secure a fifth consecutive season at Italy’s top level.

Currently engaged in a tense contest with 18th-placed Cremonese, the Salentini are just above the relegation zone after securing a crucial point in last week’s tense encounter with Hellas Verona.

Although they could not secure a win against one of the teams below them, the 0-0 draw at Stadio Bentegodi means Lecce just needs to keep pace with Cremonese’s results over the final four matchdays.

However, this may prove to be an uphill task, as Eusebio Di François’s men have garnered just two points in their last six fixtures and have found the net only twice.

Remarkably, they have only scored 10 times from open play all season; they lack a consistent scorer, with the last eight goals in Serie A coming from different players.

This list features Serbian striker Nikola Stulic, who netted the winner when Pisa last visited Via del Mare in December – a repeat performance could provide much-needed comfort to the anxious fans of the Giallorossi.

Team News

Despite the continued absence of Matteo Tramoni, Marius Marin, and Daniel Denoon, Pisa could welcome back Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi into the squad.

After missing last week’s defeat to Parma, Durosinmi is likely to compete with Filip Stojilkovic and Henrik Meister for the opportunity to join six-goal leading scorer Stefano Moreo in the attack.

In defense, Arturo Calabresi was replaced by Rosen Bozhinov during the match at Stadio Tardini, but Hiljemark may revert to the previous arrangement this weekend.

Meanwhile, Lecce is expected to reinstate Tiago Gabriel into their starting lineup after the esteemed defender finished serving a suspension in Verona.

Injuries will keep Medon Berisha, Kialonda Gaspar, and Sadik Fofana out of action, while winger Riccardo Sottil continues to deal with a back issue.

On a more positive note for the traveling side, Milan loanee Françasco Camarda has recently returned from a lengthy absence; Santiago Pierotti is now back in full training following a minor muscle complaint.

Pisa probable starting XI:

Always; Caracciolo, Canestrelli, Calabresi; Leris, Vural, Aebischer, Akinsanmiro, Angori; Moreo, Meister

Lecce probable starting XI:

Falcon; Veiga, Siebert, Gabriel, Gallo; Ramadani, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Gandelman, Banda; Stulic

A tense encounter involving two of the lowest-scoring teams in the top five leagues of Europe will likely be decided by a single goal.

Both sides have scored more than half their goals from set-pieces, which could favor Pisa; while it may not be enough to spare them from relegation, a defeat could have significant implications for Lecce.