Lecce-Roma: between salvation and Champions, an all-yellow and red challenge in Salento. Lineups and TV schedules

Lecce, 28 March 2025 – Opposite moments, different ambitions, the only thing in common is the color of the shirt. A challenge all in yellow and red in the Via del Mare between Lecce and Roma, a match that pits teams with opposite objectives, standings and form against each other. On one hand the people of Salento are looking for a jolt after four consecutive defeats: the relegation zone is still at a safe distance, but if you don't want to be sucked in you need to get the standings moving again. The Capitoline team, on the other hand, have only known how to win in recent weeks and after having digested the elimination in the Europa League, now they only have their minds on the championship, where they have forcefully returned to the race for the Champions League. Kick-off in Salento is set for 20:45 on Saturday 29 March 2025.

Lecce's crisis is deep and little by little it is causing the Giallorossi to lose ground. Since Marco Giampaolo sat on the Salento bench, the crisis of the Apulian team has never been so complicated. There have been almost two months without victories and in the last month they have only collected defeats. The calendar has not been kind to the Lecce team, but at the same time they have missed precious opportunities to put important points in their ranking. The thing that allows the team to sleep peacefully, for now, is the margin in the standings, minimal but consistent, on relegation zone. In addition to this, the performances have never been lacking and Kristovic's talent, match after match, is blossoming more and more, having also reached double figures in goals scored in the championship. Now, however, it is also necessary to obtain the points to confirm the top championship. Starting from this match is complicated but not impossible and salvation also depends on small feats, such as obtaining points in this match.

There are those who want to reverse their trend like Lecce and those who have no reason to want to stop like for example Claudio Ranieri's boys. They are well six consecutive victories accumulated from the Giallorossi at this point in the championship: almost two months where only three points have been known in the championship. An infernal pace, which has allowed the Romans to climb up to seventh place in the championship. An unthinkable climb if you think back to when the Roman coach sat on the bench, with the Capitoline team just two points ahead of the last three places. The distance from Europe seemed abysmal and the Champions League could only be looked at with a telescope. Today, however, with 9 games still on the calendar, that objective can be touched with a finger if you look at the distance from fourth-placed Bologna by just 4 points. Winning is essential to put further pressure on rivals and keep that hope alive, the end of the season has just begun, the road is long but now mistakes must be kept to a minimum.

The Italian Referees Association has issued the referee appointments for the 30th day of the championship. In the Via del Mare match on Saturday 29 March at 20:45 between Lecce and Roma the referee will be Gianluca Manganiello from the Pinerolo section. The refereeing team will be completed by assistants Preti and Moro, while the fourth official will be Cosso. Var and Avar will be manned respectively by Di Paolo and Ghersini. For the Piedmontese referee it will be the 20th match of his season, the 14th in Serie A, to which he adds 5 in Serie B and 1 in the Cyprus Legue, the Cypriot championship. There are eight precedents between the Salento team and Manganiello with a terrible score of 7 defeats and a draw; there are twelve with the Romans and the score is 10 victories for the capital and 2 defeats. It is curious to note that there is a precedent with both teams this season: for Lecce it is the home match against the other Roman team, while for the Capitoline team it was the last match under Juric, the one lost against Bologna.

Probable lineups

Lecce needs points, but Giampaolo does not want to shake up the team. We are therefore moving towards the confirmation of many of the interpreters of the last matches, with the pair Baschirotto and Jean in front of Falcone. Guilbert will run on the right, while Gallo is on the opposite side. Coulibaly and Berisha are the two midfielders acting as a dam in front of the rearguard. Helgasson is the central attacking midfielder, with Pierotti and Morente on his sides, supporting the only striker Kristovic.

Dybala is out with a left thigh problem, while Dovbyk remains in doubt due to some physical ailments. The Ukrainian currently has the advantage over Shomurodov for the role of first striker, while behind him the favorites are Soulé and Pellegrini. In front of Svilar, Mancini, Hummels and N'Dicka will operate. For the midfield, Cristante is favored over Paredes to support Koné, while Saelemaekers will run on the right and Angeliño on the left.

Lecce (4-3-3): Falcone, Guilbert, Baschirotto, Jean, Gallo; Coulibaly, Berisha, Helgason; Pierotti, Krstovic, Morente. Coach Marco Giampaolo.

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Koné, Paredes, Angelino; Soulé, Baldanzi; Dovbyk. Coach Claudio Ranieri.

Where to watch the match on TV

The match between Lecce and Roma at the Via del Mare stadium, valid for the thirtieth day of Serie A, will start at 20,45 on Saturday 29 March 2025. The match will be vavailable on Sky TV, live on Sky Sport Calcio channels (satellite numbers 202 and 249, digital terrestrial numbers 473 and 483), Sky Sports 4K (satellite number 213) e Sky Sports (number 251 on satellite). The match will also be available in streaming on Dazn, with a live link starting at 20:15. You can follow the match by downloading the app on your smart TV or by connecting your television to a PlayStation 4/5 console, Xbox, or to a TIMVISION BOX, an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast device. Viewing is also possible via the Dazn app or website on tablets, PCs and smartphones. The match will also be available in streaming on the Sky Go and NOW platforms. On Sky, the commentary of the match will be entrusted to Riccardo Gentile and Lorenzo Minotti. On Dazn, the commentary of the match will be entrusted to Ricky Buscaglia and Emanuele Giaccherini.