US Lecce Team News Page 54 - Soccer

Kristoffer Askildsen - Comes off bench in Sassuolo game Askildsen (illness) had two touches in ten minutes in Saturday's 0-1 loss to Sassuolo.

Impact Askildsen returned after a stomach bug, but Joan Gonzalez stayed in the XI. He has to compete for minutes also with Thorir Helgason, but he's the most experienced of the trio given his previous appearances at Sampdoria. Lecce might not be done adding to the midfield, though.

AUGUST 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marin Pongracic - Loaned to Lecce Pongracic has joined Lecce on a season-long loan from Wolfsburg, the club announced Monday.

Impact Pongracic kept two clean sheets in 17 Bundesliga appearances (nine starts) while on-loan with Dortmund last season, and the 24-year-old center-back is now moving to Serie A for this campaign with Lecce.

AUGUST 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Morten Hjulmand - Busy defensively in loss Hjulmand made five tackles (two won), one clearance, four interceptions and two blocks during Saturday's 1-0 loss against Sassuolo.

Impact Hjulmand had a very solid performance in the middle of the park making it very difficult for the opposition to create plays from the middle. He and Valentin Gendrey led all players in both tackles and interceptions but Hjulmand's two blocks gave him an edge on the defensive end. After two productive outings to begin his first Serie A campaign, the midfielder will try to keep it up during the upcoming weeks.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Baschirotto - Makes seven clearances in loss Baschirotto made one tackle (won), seven clearances, one interception and one block.

Impact Baschirotto wasn't as brilliant as he was on the season opener against Inter but was still productive, leading all players in clearances and making life very difficult for striker Andrea Pinamonti. The center-back had 17 clearances over his first two starts of the season and his numbers should be watched closely during the upcoming weeks.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Valentin Gendrey - Busy defensively in loss Gendrey created one chance, sent in two crosses (one accurate), and made five tackles (three won), one clearance and four interceptions during Saturday's 1-0 loss against Sassuolo.

Impact Gendrey had a very well-rounded performance here, being everywhere his side needed him to be defensively. He wasn't exactly brilliant on the attacking end, but at least went up the field to contribute a couple of times. The right-back doesn't look to have much competition for his starting spot so far and his decent performances so far only helped in this sense.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Assan Ceesay - Takes three shots in loss Ceesay had three off-target shots and sent in two crosses (one accurate) during Saturday's 1-0 loss against Sassuolo.

Impact Ceesay was coming off scoring on the season opener but didn't have the same accuracy here and none of his three shots attempted found the back of the net. The forward had very little involvement on the build-up of plays over his two starts so far this season and if, this trend continues, his fantasy value will rely too much on his appearances on the scoresheet. Up next for Ceesay is Aug. 28 home clash against Empoli.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Concedes one in loss Falcone made two saves and conceded one goal during Saturday's 1-0 loss against Sassuolo.

Impact Falcone couldn't do much to stop Domenico Berardi's spectacular volley from just outside the box in the 40th minute but other than that made a decent job between the sticks. The goalkeeper has now been beaten three times after two starts but his nine saves and seven clearances certainly make up for these goals. Up next for him is Aug. 28 home clash against Empoli.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lukaku stars on return home, Inter Milan beats Spezia 3-0

Romelu Lukaku starred in his first home game for Inter Milan since returning from Chelsea

AUGUST 20, 2022 • Associated Press

MATCHDAY: Arsenal goes for 3rd win; Madrid visits Celta

Arsenal goes for a third straight win to open the Premier League when Mikel Arteta’s team visits Bournemouth

AUGUST 19, 2022 • Associated Press

Alessandro Tuia - Available versus Sassuolo Tuia (undisclosed) has been called up for Saturday's match against Sassuolo.

Impact Tuia is indeed good to go after re-joining his teammates in practice earlier in the week. He will compete for a starting spot with Alexis Blin and Federico Baschirotto, while Mert Cetin is out with an ankle issue. He logged 39 tackles, 36 interceptions, 85 clearances and ten blocks in 27 appearances with Benevento two seasons ago, contributing to two clean sheets.

AUGUST 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Daniel Samek - Playing with youth team Samek is spending time with the U-19 side to begin the season, Tuttomercatoweb informs.

Impact Samek hasn't been called up for the two matches of the campaign, but he is healthy and has simply been assigned to the Primavera squad since he's 18. He could eventually work his way up the first team, but it will probably take some time.

AUGUST 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mert Cetin - Ruled out for Sassuolo match Cetin will sit out Saturday's game versus Sassuolo due to an ankle sprain, Lecce informed.

Impact Cetin has been able to practice in limited capacity in the last few days so, while he will miss this one, the injury shouldn't be too severe. Two among Alessandro Tuia, Alexis Blin and Federico Baschirotto will play as center-backs Saturday considering that Kastriot Dermaku remains on the shelf with a thigh problem.

AUGUST 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alessandro Tuia - On track for Sassuolo game Tuia (undisclosed) went into full training Monday, Lecce announced.

Impact Tuia sat out the Inter game due to a previous muscular problem. Depending on how many minutes he can handle in his first game back, he could be in contention to start with Mert Cetin (ankle), Alexis Blin and Federico Baschirotto.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kristoffer Askildsen - Returns to full training Askildsen (illness) was a full go in practice Monday, Lecce announced.

Impact Askildsen sat out the opener due to a stomach bug, but he's poised to be back for the second match. He will compete with Joan Gonzalez, Alexis Blin and Thomas Helgason for a spot in the midfield.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mathias Normann - Moves to Lecce Normann has joined Lecce on a season-long loan from Rostov, the team announced.

Impact Normann played at Norwich last season, posting one goal, two assists, 13 chances and 34 crosses (seven accurate) in 23 appearances. He could have a decent role in the midfield if he adjusts to his new surrounding pretty quickly.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alexis Blin - Logs eight clearances versus Inter Blin had two blocks, three interceptions and eight clearances and won three duels in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Balin subbed in early after Mert Cetin bowed out and was solid as a center-back, even though Inter won it at the buzzer. With three defenders currently dealing with injuries, he might get some run in this role in the upcoming matches.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Baschirotto - Puts up numbers against Inter Baschirotto had ten clearances, and two interceptions and won five duels and two of two tackles in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Baschirotto risked being sent off for an X-rated tackle in the first half, but he mostly held up in his first Serie A game. He will likely be handed more opportunities since Lecce have a lot of issues in the back.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Di Francesco - Sets up teammate against Inter Di Francesco created two scoring chances, sent in two inaccurate crosses, took one off-target shot and picked up an assist in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Di Francesco didn't have a superb display but he teed up Assan Ceesay with a timely through ball early in the second half. If Lecce don't sign any other winger, he's going to have more opportunities to start than last season, when he posted five shots, 26 shots (eight on target) and 14 chances in 26 appearances with Empoli (17 starts). Lecce will face Sassuolo away Saturday.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Assan Ceesay - Scores against Inter Ceesay took two shots (one on target), drew three fouls, won thee duels and scored a goal in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Ceesay had a strong Serie A debut as he wrong-footed Samir Handanovic with a clever shot after slipping behind the defense. He was highly productive in Switzerland and will look to have similar success in Italy too. Lecce will face Sassuolo away Saturday.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gabriel Strefezza - Productive against Inter Strefezza took two shots (one on target), sent in seven crosses (three accurate), created two chances and drew four fouls in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Strefezza served as the focal point of the offense and took care of corner kicks, which allowed up to pile up stats. He tallied 14 goals and six assists in Serie B last season and, while he's unlikely to replicate those numbers against better competition, his role will remain very prominent. Lecce will face Sassuolo away Saturday.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Brilliant despite loss to Inter Falcone had seven saves, three punches and five clearances and allowed two goals in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Inter.

Impact Falcone caught whatever was within his reach throughout the contest, but Inter still found a way to get the win thanks to a late surge. This type of performance might become routine for him this season. Lecce will face Sassuolo away Saturday.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lukaku swiftly opens Inter account in 2-1 win at Lecce

It took Romelu Lukaku just 82 seconds to mark his return to Inter Milan with a goal

AUGUST 13, 2022 • Associated Press

Mert Cetin - Subs off early versus Inter Cetin limped off after just 21 minutes in Sunday's game against Inter after recording one interception and one clearance.

Impact Cetin tried to play through an ankle sprain but appeared to aggravate it early in the match. He'll likely be fully assessed in the next few days. He was replaced by Alexis Blin, who joined Federico Baschirotto in the middle of the defense.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mert Cetin - Starting against Inter Cetin (ankle) is in Lecce's starting lineup for Saturday's clash against Inter Milan.

Impact Cetin carried an injury designation into Saturday's game after picking up an ankle sprain, but he is fit enough to get the start in central defense.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mert Cetin - Questionable for Inter game Cetin has been called up but he's in doubt for Saturday's match versus Inter due to an ankle sprain, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Impact Cetin is the only pure center-back currently available given the injuries to Alessandro Tuia and Kastriot Dermaku, but he will have to pass a late fitness test to get the nod, otherwise Alexis Blin and Valentin Gendrey will likely adapt to the role, opening up a spot for Federico Baschirotto and a midfielder.

AUGUST 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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Lukaku stars on return home, Inter Milan beats Spezia 3-0

MATCHDAY: Arsenal goes for 3rd win; Madrid visits Celta

Lukaku swiftly opens Inter account in 2-1 win at Lecce