LECCE starting XI (4-2-3-1): Falcone, Guilbert (subbed for Jean), Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo, Ramadani, Pierret (subbed for Pierotti), Dorgu, Oudin (subbed for Morente), Banda (subbed for Coulibaly), Krstovic (subbed for Rebic)
Bench: Fruchtl, Samooja, Borbei, Pelmard, Bonifazi, Mcjannet, Berisha, Rafia, Marchwinski, Burnete
Goals: Krstovic 26’
CAGLIARI starting XI (3-5-2): Scuffet, Zappa (subbed for Palomino), Mina, Luperto, Azzi (subbed for Felici), Deiola (subbed for Viola), Prati (subbed for Lapadula), Marin, Augello, Luvumbo, Piccoli (subbed for Pavoletti)
Bench: Iliev, Sherri, Hatzidiakos, Obert, Adopo, Zortea, Jankto, Makoumbou, Gaetano, Pavoletti, Mutandwa.
Cagliari dominated possession with 65 per cent, creating nine chances to Lecce’s ten.
Nikola Krstovic really should have put the home side ahead in the 7th minute when he got on the end of a poor defensive back pass, but despite dribbling around the keeper, his shot was blocked by the recovering Sebastiano Luperto.
A few minutes later saw Cagliari have a good chance of their own as Zito Luvumbo’s ferocious shot rattled the crossbar.
Krstovic made up for his earlier wastefulness by getting on the end of a set play from a corner in the 26th minute to toe-poke home from close range.
Patrick Dorgu was given a straight red card just before the break when VAR intervened to have his reckless studs-up challenge upgraded after an initial yellow.
Despite Lecce’s numerical disadvantage, the score remained 1-0 as Venezia start their Serie A return with just one point from a possible nine.
