Genoa left the Stadio Via del Mare with a battling 2-1 away victory over Lecce in Italian Serie A, with Andrea Pinamonti’s second-half brace turning the match around after Nikola Krstovic had given the hosts an early lead. The result gave Genoa a valuable three points on the road and left Lecce reflecting on a promising start that slipped away after the interval.

Match overview

Lecce began with the kind of energy their home supporters expect, pressing high and forcing Genoa into early mistakes. The hosts were rewarded in the 21st minute when Krstovic found space inside the penalty area and finished calmly to make it 1-0. For much of the first half, Lecce looked the more likely side to add to their lead, with Genoa struggling to connect midfield and attack.

Genoa improved after the break, pushing their wide players higher and finding more space between Lecce’s midfield and defensive lines. The equaliser arrived in the 54th minute through Pinamonti, who reacted quickest to a loose ball and guided it past Wladimiro Falcone. Lecce tried to respond, but Genoa’s control grew as the second half wore on.

Key moments

• 21’ – Lecce 1-0: Krstovic opened the scoring after a sustained spell of home pressure.
• 54’ – Lecce 1-1: Pinamonti levelled for Genoa with a composed finish inside the box.
• 79’ – Lecce 1-2: Pinamonti struck again, this time converting a well-worked attacking move to complete his brace.

Tactical story

Lecce’s early approach was built on intensity and quick regains, but it demanded a lot of energy from their midfield. Once Genoa began to bypass the first line of pressure, the visitors found room to attack through the channels. Morten Frendrup’s tireless running helped Genoa win second balls, while Pinamonti’s movement inside the box gave Lecce’s centre-backs a difficult evening.

Genoa’s second-half adjustment was simple but effective: they stayed compact, moved the ball more patiently, and waited for Lecce to commit numbers forward. That patience paid off with the winning goal, which came after Lecce were stretched in transition.

Standout players

Pinamonti was the clear match-winner for Genoa, showing the kind of penalty-area instincts that can decide tight Serie A contests. Frendrup was also influential, combining defensive work with forward runs, while Falcone kept Lecce in the game with a couple of important saves before Genoa’s winner.

Table and season impact

The three points gave Genoa a timely boost and strengthened their position in the middle of the Serie A standings. For Lecce, the defeat underlined the importance of turning strong starts into points, especially at home. With the season moving into a demanding stretch, both sides will see this result as significant: Genoa as evidence of their away-day resilience, Lecce as a reminder of how quickly a match can shift.