Lecce - injuries & suspensions October 2026

Lecce finished last season’s Serie A campaign in 17th place with 38 points. They stayed up, but scored just 28 goals. Such a poor attacking record is hard to ignore, so the summer signings focused primarily on that area of the team. The club brought in among others. Willem Geubbels and Joël Monteiro, while Ivan Ilić strengthened the midfield. Eusebio Di Francesco remains in charge and has been given the chance to improve on last year’s results.

Di Francesco stays at Lecce

Lecce avoided relegation once again, although they could not feel secure about their future until the end of the season. Di Francesco kept the team in Serie A and will remain in his post. However, the club’s hierarchy has changed ahead of the new campaign. After many years, director Pantaleo Corvino has left, and Stefano Trinchera now has greater influence over transfers.

The squad still includes players who know the league well. Wladimiro Falcone remains in goal, while the defence includes Kialonda Gaspar, Jamil Siebert, Tiago Gabriel and Antonino Gallo. Lassana Coulibaly, Medon Berisha and Omri Gandelman are among those who remain in midfield. Lecce therefore do not need to overhaul every area of the team. Their biggest problem, however, remains the attack.

Geubbels and Monteiro tasked with bolstering the attack

Willem Geubbels joined permanently from Paris FC. The Frenchman is quick and can exploit space in behind the defence. Joël Monteiro was signed from Young Boys. The Swiss player can operate on either wing, is effective in one-on-one situations and can get into the box. Amara Fatah was signed from Troyes and can also play on the wing. They will compete for a place in the starting XI among others. with Santiago Pierotti and Konan N’Dri.

Lameck Banda’s situation has turned into a legal dispute. The Zambian did not return for Lecce’s pre-season preparations and subsequently moved to Libyan club Al-Swehly without the Italian club’s consent. FIFA is handling the case, with proceedings involving both Banda and Al-Swehly. Lecce have therefore lost one of their most productive players from last season. Banda scored five goals and provided four assists in Serie A.

Ilić to strengthen midfield

Ivan Ilić joined from Torino on loan with an option to buy. The Serbian has Serie A experience and can help move the ball, particularly when transitioning from defence to attack. His presence gives Di Francesco another option in midfield. Mohamed Kaba and Youssef Maleh have returned to the club after loan spells. Marco Bleve was brought in from Carrarese as a goalkeeper and is expected to serve as Falcone’s understudy.

Ylber Ramadani has left the club, having been sold to Turkish side Çorum FK. Filip Marchwiński, meanwhile, has been loaned to Cracovia. Ramadani’s departure limits the options in midfield, so Ilić could quickly be handed significant responsibility. Lecce will need him to deliver accurate passes and keep possession under pressure from opponents.

The attack will decide the results

Lecce have retained a large part of their squad, with the changes intended primarily to improve their attacking play. Last season showed that 28 goals are not enough to stay in Serie A comfortably. However, simply signing new players does not guarantee an improvement. Lecce will once again be competing against teams with greater financial resources, so they cannot afford lengthy barren spells. If the new arrivals quickly become influential, the team will have a chance to avoid a nerve-racking end to the season. For now, staying up remains the main objective.