Serie A: Lecce Win Puts Pisa and Verona Out, Survival Boost for Giallorossi

Lecce sink Pisa to confirm double relegation, edge clear of drop zone

Lecce beat Pisa 2-1 to send both Pisa and Verona down from Serie A and move four points clear of the relegation zone with three games left.

Mehdi Leris equalized for Pisa but the hosts couldn’t hold on, falling to a sixth straight loss...

Pisa’s relegation from Serie A was confirmed after a 2-1 defeat to 17th-placed Lecce left them 14 points adrift with three games left. The win also pushed Lecce four points clear of the drop zone.  

Despite being Europe’s lowest scorers among the top five leagues, Lecce struck early when Lameck Banda cut in from the left just four minutes in and rattled the Pisa defense. His effort, though, was straight at Adrian Semper.

Fighting to stay up, Pisa started to create chances around the 15-minute mark. Michel Aebischer’s free-kick forced Wladimiro Falcone into a save, and Samuele Angori then threaded a ball through for Filip Stojilkovic, who could only hit the side netting.  

Stojilkovic’s search for a first Pisa goal continued midway through the half, but his shot was blocked by a diving Tiago Gabriel.  

Things nearly unraveled for the Nerazzurri when Ebenezer Akinsanmiro overhit a backpass, forcing Adrian Semper to scramble it off the line.  

Pisa looked to have regained control when Stefano Moreo powered a header on target, but Lecce finished the half stronger. Banda and Lassana Coulibaly threatened without producing clear chances.

Banda e Cheddira per i 3 punti! 💛❤️✅#PisaLecce pic.twitter.com/pvQ1QRcaUI

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) May 1, 2026

Lecce made their pressure count seven minutes into the second half when Walid Cheddira held off his marker, slipped the ball across to Lameck Banda, and Banda’s strike beat Adrian Semper to open the scoring.  

Pisa hit back four minutes later after Lecce failed to deal with a long throw. Mehdi Leris volleyed home from a tight angle to level it.  

With just over 20 minutes left, Santiago Pierotti weaved through the defense and played in Cheddira, who fired past Semper to put Lecce back in front.  

Lecce’s lead almost didn’t last, but neither Idrissa Toure nor Gabriele Piccinini could convert Mehdi Leris’ cross from inside the six-yard box.  

Pisa got a break when Lecce’s third was ruled out for offside after Francesco Camarda deflected in Santiago Pierotti’s shot.  

Walid Cheddira è il Panini Player of the match di #PisaLecce! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/IPIl9dFNwx

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) May 1, 2026

Any hope faded in stoppage time when Wladimiro Falcone saved Michel Aebischer’s effort, sealing Pisa’s sixth straight loss. The result also confirmed Verona’s relegation, with both sides now 13 points behind Lecce.  

Lecce are unbeaten in three and sit four points clear of the drop zone with three games to play.