Genoa beat Lecce 2-1 in a lively Serie A encounter at Via Del Mare.
The match took place on 1 November 2026 under the floodlights of Via Del Mare in Lecce, with both sides eager to claim three points in the top-flight league. The home side, Lecce, opened the game hoping to impose themselves early, while Genoa looked to exploit the spaces on the flanks.
How it unfolded
The opening stages were decisive. In the 11th minute Milutin Osmajic put Genoa ahead, receiving a precise pass from Junior Messias before unleashing a right-footed shot from the centre of the box that found the centre of the net. The early lead gave Genoa confidence and forced Lecce to chase the game.
Just 17 minutes later, Genoa doubled their advantage. Junior Messias, who had already assisted the opener, turned the tables by scoring himself in the 28th minute. A left-footed strike from the left side of the box, set up by Stephan El Shaarawy, curled into the bottom left corner, leaving the Lecce defence exposed.
Lecce responded before the half-time break. Youssef Maleh stepped up to convert a free-kick in the 40th minute, sending a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner to make it 2-1. The goal restored belief to the home crowd and set up a tense final half-hour.
The second half saw disciplinary action rather than further goals. Mohamed Kaba of Lecce was shown a yellow card in the 59th minute for a bad foul. Three minutes later, Hamed Traoré received a similar booking for Genoa, also for a bad foul. The cautions continued with Jamil Siebert of Lecce booked in the 70th minute for another bad foul. No further scoring occurred, and the match finished with Genoa maintaining their two-goal cushion.
Standout performers
Milutin Osmajic opened the scoring and was instrumental in the early phases, while his teammate Junior Messias not only provided the assist for the first goal but also added the second goal himself, showcasing his dual threat. Stephan El Shaarawy’s contribution with the assist for Messias’ strike highlighted his creative role. For Lecce, Youssef Maleh’s free-kick goal was the highlight, demonstrating composure from set-piece situations.
Match facts
- Final score: Lecce 1-2 Genoa
- Scorers: Milutin Osmajic (11'), Junior Messias (28'), Youssef Maleh (40')
- Bookings: Mohamed Kaba (Lecce, 59'), Hamed Traoré (Genoa, 62'), Jamil Siebert (Lecce, 70')
- Venue: Via Del Mare, Lecce
What it means
The victory gives Genoa three points from the Serie A fixture, while Lecce return home with a single point after their narrow defeat. Both clubs will look to build on the performances and address the disciplinary issues highlighted by the bookings.
