Lecce is on the verge of relegation after losing 1-0 at home to Fiorentina in Serie A on Saturday as new coach Vincenzo Guerini won his first game in charge of the Tuscan side.
Alessio Cerci scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes from time. Lecce goalkeeper Massimiliano Benassi almost equalized in injury time but his strike hit his own team mate.
Lecce is now three points off Genoa, which plays Udinese on Sunday. Lecce still has a slight chance of avoiding the drop if Genoa loses its last two games.
Lecce must win its final match at Chievo Verona next weekend to survive on goal difference, as it has a level head-to-head record with Genoa. Both games between the sides finished in a draw.
Guerini took charge of Fiorentina after coach Delio Rossi was fired for slapping a player.
A draw at title-seeking Juventus midweek had reignited Lecce's hopes of survival and Serse Cosmi's team had the best of the opening chances.
However, Fiorentina came into the game after half an hour. Mattia Cassani should have scored when Ruben Olivera backheeled the ball into his path but Benassi did well to save his low shot.
Fiorentina was in front minutes later as Olivera touched on Felipe's long throw and Cerci beat the offside trap to put an unstoppable shot past Benassi.
Cassani could have doubled Fiorentina's lead soon after - following a swift one-two with Riccardo Montolivo - but his shot hit the outside of the post.
Lecce came close to leveling just before halftime but Valeri Bojinov blazed over the bar.
The home side went even closer shortly after the break when Andrea Esposito tried to lob outrushing Fiorentina goalkeeper Artur Boruc but crashed his effort off the crossbar.
Benassi went close to snatching a vital point when he came up for a corner deep into injury time when his volley hit team mate Guillermo Giacomazzi.
