Lecce-Venezia 1-1: Baschirotto makes up for Gallo's own goal

Lecce, 6 April 2025 – It ends 1-1 the salvation challenge of the Via del Mare between the Lecce – who interrupted a streak of five defeats but left the pitch surrounded by whistles from the Giallorossi fans – and the Venice. A draw that does not substantially change the standings of either team because Lecce – awaiting the very delicate challenge at Juventus’ home – is only +3 on third-last Empoli while Venezia is -5 from safety. From what was seen on the pitch, however, the result of the Via del Mare is a little tighter for Giampaolo’s team who, after a commanding first half, was surprised by Venezia’s excellent start to the second half and ended up behind in the score due to Gallo’s own goal in the 50th minute. Thanks also to the substitutions, however, the Salento team was able to change pace and level the score with Baschirotto’s winning header and in the final they threw themselves forward, coming within a whisker of overtaking first with the post of the new entrant N’dri and then with another poisonous header from Baschirotto, neutralized by Radu’s providential save.

First half

Lecce takes to the field with great competitive fury, starting with the fifth gear engaged and after just 35”, at the height of an insistent action, they send the first signal to the lagoon team with Ramadani’s shot, which ends up high over the crossbar of the goal defended by Radu. Asphyxiating counter-attack on second balls, dynamism in duels and verticality mark the excellent start of the Salento team who at the 4th minute try again with a double opportunity, however, spoiled by Helgason’s offside at the start. On the other side, Venezia struggles, not finding width and speed of maneuver and has to wait until the 18th minute to show up near Falcone with Yeboah’s out-of-measure conclusion following a corner kick. A wishful attempt, which is not enough to interrupt the monologue of the Giallorossi in the first half hour of play: the clearest chance of the first half fell to Baschirotto in the 21st minute, who tries it in front of the goal but doesn't get it in the mirror for the deflection into a corner kick by an opposing defender. Krstovic's headers in the 28th and 31st minutes were also unsuccessful. Venezia cashed in and in the final quarter of an hour tried to raise their centre of gravity and ease the pressure, but they failed to sting and only managed to create one good opportunity in the 41st minute with Yeboah who kicked high from the edge of the area.  

Second half

The first to mix up the cards was Di Francesco who took advantage of the half-time substitution slot to remove the cautioned Carboni and replace him with Haps. The lagoon team's response was immediate, because at the start of the second half it was Venezia who were more lively and who came close to scoring twice with Gytkjaer. The Venetian goal was however just around the corner and came a few moments later when Cock, on the developments beaten sharply by Zerbin from the right midfield, deflects the ball into his own goal after being taunted by Gytkjaer. The very complicated start to the second half pushes Giampaolo to revolutionise the midfield with the additions of N'dri, Pierret and Berisha. It takes the Giallorossi a few minutes to assimilate the new set-up but in the 65th minute comes the flash that puts everything back into question: on a free kick taken by Helgason, Baschirotto rises to the top and scores the 1-1. The inertia of the match is overturned again, with Lecce regaining strength and then Di Francesco completely changes his attack to regain energy, throwing Oristanio and Fila into the fray, who enters the game not finding the right angle one-on-one with Falcone on the excellent pressure of Nicolussi Caviglia on Berisha. Danger averted for the home team who in the final 20' throw themselves forward again in search of the goal of the overtaking that the new entrant N'dri', in the 79th minute, almost hits the base of the post on the assist in the area by Krstovic. Equally tempting is the goal opportunity that falls on the head of baschirotto which forces Radu to perform a miracle to avoid the Salento defender's brace. The "Lady Luck" however turns her back on Giampaolo's men who in injury time risk something too much on one initiative too many and in the end have to settle for just one point.

scoreboard

Lecce (4-2-3-1): Falcon; Guilbert (Veiga from 68'), Baschirotto, Gaspar, Gallo; Coulibaly (Pierret from 54'), Ramadani (Berisha from 54'); Pierotti (from 54' N'dri), Helgason, Morente; Krstovic. All. Giampaolo.

Venice (3-5-2): Radu; Marcandalli (from 73' Ellertsson), Idzes, Candé; Zerbin, Busio, Nicolussi Cavigia, Kike Perez (from 81' Doumbia), Carboni (from 45' Haps); Yeboah (from 68' Oristanio), Gytkjaer (from 68' Fila). All. Di Francesco.

Scorers: Gallo (Lecce, own goal 50'), Baschirotto (Lecce 65')

Note - Yellow cards: Franco Carboni (Venice), Baschirotto (Lecce), Marcandalli (Venice), Guilbert (Lecce), Kike Perez (Venice), Candé (Venice).