Empoli starting XI (4-3-1-2): Berisha, Bereszynski (subbed for Ebuhei), Ismajli, Luperto, Bastoni, Kovalenko (subbed for Fazzini), Grassi, Maleh (subbed for Marin), Cancellieri (subbed for Gyasi), Cambiaghi, Caputo (subbed for Shpendi)
Bench: Perisan, Caprile, Walukiewicz, Cacace, Ranocchia, Destro, Maldini
Goals: Rafia 71’ (OG)
Lecce starting XI (4-3-3): Falcone, Gendrey, Pongracic, Baschirotto, Dorgu (subbed for Gallo), Oudin (subbed for Rafia), Ramadani, Gonzalez (subbed for Blin), Sansone, Piccoli (subbed for Krstovic), Banda
Bench: Brancolini, Samooja, Venuti, Berisha, Listkowski, Faticanti, Smajlovic, Strefezza, Dermaku, Touba, Kaba
Goals: Banda 64’
Empoli sit third from bottom - level on points with 17th-placed Udinese - while Cagliari scored twice in added time to beat visiting Sassuolo 2-1 and leapfrog out of the relegation places into 16th.
Monday’s stalemate was a fourth draw in a row for Lecce, who remain 13th, five points clear of the relegation places.
Lecce took the lead in the 64th minute thanks to a clanger from goalkeeper Etrit Berisha.
Zambian winger Lameck Banda tried his luck from long distance, and although the shot appeared to pose little danger it bounced between Berisha’s legs.
Empoli struck back seven minutes later with an equally fortunate goal, defender Hamza Rafia sticking out a leg to stop a cross from the right and deflecting the ball over his own keeper.
AAP
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