Fiorentina 0 - 1 Lecce - Viola victory lifts Lecce

Posted Sunday, January 15, 2012 by PA

Lecce hauled themselves off the foot of the Serie A standings with a smash-and-grab victory on the road at Fiorentina.

David Di Michele's second-half penalty was the only goal of the game, which was Fiorentina's to win.

The hosts dominated possession and had far more shots on goal, but the breakthrough would not come as La Viola went down to their seventh loss of the campaign.

Victory for Lecce was their third of the season - all of them away successes - and lifted them into 19th place on 12 points - ahead of Novara on goal difference.

Lecce offered little as an attacking force in the opening 45 minutes, with Juan Guillermo Cuadardo's speculative effort their sole threat to Artur Boruc's goal.

Juan Vargas twice went close for Fiorentina as the hosts began to find their feet, while Riccardo Montolivo enjoyed their best chance of the half on 33 minutes when he hit a low shot from outside the area but Massimiliano Benassi got down well to save.

Stevan Jovetic and Vargas went close as Fiorentina began the second half on the front foot, and on 51 minutes Benassi again was called on to save from Adem Ljajic.

Two minutes later Benassi had to be replaced by Julio Sergio due to injury, but the replacement had little to trouble him before his side went in front after 66 minutes.

The referee pointed to the spot after Cesare Natali fouled Luis Muriel in the area, and Di Michele looked assured from 12 yards as he fired the spot-kick down the middle of the goal.

Lecce were far from home and dry, however, and were indebted to their back-up goalkeeper for preserving their lead in what time remained as Sergio twice saved well from Jovetic.