Serie A: Parma 1-3 Lecce: Pecchia returns to relegation zone – Football Italia – January 31 latest

Nikola Krstovic of US Lecce celebrates the team’s first goal with teammates during the Serie A match between Parma and Lecce at Stadio Ennio Tardini on January 31, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Lecce rose to a 3-1 victory away against Parma in Serie A on Friday evening thanks to goals from Kikola Krstovic and a brace from Santiago Pierotti, which has sent them up five places in the table and has condemned their hosts to a week in the relegation zone. 

There was no Patrick Dorgu in the Lecce line-up for just the second time this season. He did not come on at any stage, and is expected to complete his transfer to Manchester United by the close of the January transfer window on Monday. 

Krstovic thought he had opened the scoring 24 minutes in, having slotted home partly in thanks to a deflection in the penalty area, but the Montenegrin had strayed marginally offside in the build-up, and so the goal was ruled out after a VAR check. 

Parma then put themselves ahead through Emmanuele Valeri from the penalty spot. He showed no signs of any nerves, thumping his effort into the roof of the net. 

The scores were levelled just a few moments after the re-start. 

Þorir Johann Helgason sent in a looping cross from the right touchline into the centre of the penalty area, where Krstovic leapt and dispatched a wonderful header up and over Zion Suzuki from the penalty spot. 

Though Parma had been in control in the early stages of the second half, Pierotti made it 2-1 for Lecce just after the hour mark. He received a defence-splitting ball from Krstovic and had plenty of time to pick his spot and convert past Suzuki when one-on-one at the near post. 

Krstovic and Pierotti combined to seal the victory for Lecce in the final moments of injury time. 

Pierotti started and ended the move, playing the ball to Krstovic, who then sent his teammate through to the right-hand side of the area, where he dispatched a shot which took a deflection on its way into the far corner. 

Lecce then had just over a minute to see out a two-goal advantage. 

Full-time Parma 1-3 Lecce 

Valeri (P) 34’, Krstovic (L) 36’, Pierotti (L) 63, 90+4’. 

31

21

14

46

5

69′

16

69′

19

28

45′

22

75′

30

61

46′

30

25

6

12

19

75

14

20

56′

37

56′

9

50

10

4

8

40

18

60

63

65

13

45′

23

46′

20

69′

11

69′

17

75′

3

23

32

1

13

77

29

56′

7

56′