Lecce claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Monza in a pulsating Italian Serie A encounter at the Stadio Via del Mare on 13 September 2026. In a match that swung one way and then the other, the hosts found the decisive goal in the second half to secure all three points and send their supporters home happy. The win lifts Lecce into a more comfortable position in the early-season standings, while Monza are left to rue a spirited comeback that ultimately fell just short.
It was a night when attacking quality outweighed defensive discipline, and the five goals were a fair reflection of the entertainment on offer. Lecce’s front line caused problems throughout, but Monza’s resilience kept the contest alive until the final whistle.
Match Overview
Lecce started with intent, pressing high and forcing Monza into early errors. The breakthrough arrived in the 12th minute when Nikola Krstović latched onto a clever through ball and finished calmly past the visiting goalkeeper. The home crowd barely had time to settle before Monza responded, Dany Mota equalising in the 23rd minute with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Just before the hour mark, Lecce regained the lead through Lameck Banda, who cut inside from the left and curled a shot into the far corner. Krstović then added his second of the night in the 67th minute, heading home from a corner to make it 3-1. Monza refused to lie down, and Samuele Vignato’s neat finish in the 78th minute set up a tense finale, but Lecce held firm.
Key Moments
- 12' – Goal: Nikola Krstović opens the scoring for Lecce with a composed finish.
- 23' – Goal: Dany Mota levels for Monza with a low strike from distance.
- 54' – Goal: Lameck Banda restores Lecce’s lead with a curling effort.
- 67' – Goal: Krstović heads in his second to make it 3-1.
- 78' – Goal: Samuele Vignato pulls one back for Monza, setting up a nervous finish.
Tactical Story
Lecce set up in a 4-3-3 and looked to exploit the space behind Monza’s full-backs. Their midfield trio worked tirelessly to win the ball back quickly, and the front three were constantly on the move. Monza, meanwhile, tried to build patiently from the back, but they were often forced into long balls by Lecce’s aggressive press.
The visitors’ best moments came when they switched play quickly and got their wingers into one-on-one situations. However, Lecce’s defensive line held a high line effectively, catching Monza offside on several occasions. In the end, the hosts’ greater cutting edge in the final third proved decisive.
Standout Players
Nikola Krstović was the obvious hero for Lecce, scoring twice and leading the line with power and intelligence. His movement off the ball constantly unsettled the Monza defence, and he could have had a hat-trick but for a fine save in the second half.
For Monza, Dany Mota was a constant threat, and his goal was a reward for a tireless performance. Samuele Vignato also impressed after coming off the bench, adding creativity and a goal to give his side late hope.
What the Result Means
Lecce move up the Serie A table with this win, building momentum in the early weeks of the season. For Monza, it is a second defeat in a row and a reminder that they must tighten up defensively if they are to climb away from the lower reaches of the standings. Both sides will take lessons from a match that delivered everything a neutral could want: goals, drama, and a late push for an equaliser.
The head-to-head now favours Lecce, who have shown they can grind out results even when the game becomes chaotic. Monza, meanwhile, will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture and find the balance between attack and defence that eluded them at the Via del Mare.

