In a tightly contested Serie A match at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, Verona and Lecce played out a goalless draw. Both sides found it difficult to convert promising attacking sequences into clear scoring opportunities, resulting in a match lacking significant offensive quality.
This result provides Lecce with a one-point cushion above the relegation zone. Verona, however, faces a significant challenge, needing to overturn a ten-point deficit in the remaining four games.
The match saw the return of Kieron Bowie and Toma Suslov to the Hellas Verona squad. Notably, Gift Orban was excluded following an incident with a Verona supporter. Several players were sidelined due to injuries, including Daniel Mosquera, Suat Serdar, Daniel Oyegoke, and Cheikh Niasse, though Gaby Jean made a comeback after a lengthy absence. Lecce were without Tiago Gabriel due to suspension, and Riccardo Sottil, Kialonda Gaspar, Sadik Fofana, and Medon Berisha were all out injured.
Verona began the match more assertively, controlling possession and patiently seeking openings. Lameck Banda was particularly active for Lecce in the early stages, testing the Verona defence on two occasions, but his efforts were either blocked or missed the target. Verona attempted to counter, with Tomas Suslov forcing a straightforward save from Wladimiro Falcone midway through the first half.
Despite some decent build-up play from both teams, genuine chances were scarce before halftime. Nikola Stulic of Lecce came closest with a header wide from a set-piece, while Verona struggled to capitalize on their crossing opportunities.
Verona 0-0 Lecce – Nothing between the teams
The second half mirrored the first, with Lecce showing more attacking intent. Banda again tested Verona’s goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò with a powerful shot that required a sharp save. Walid Cheddira also had a chance, heading wide from a corner when well-positioned.
Verona made several substitutions in an effort to alter the game’s momentum. Their best opportunity fell to Rafik Belghali, who broke into the area but was denied by the quick reflexes of Falcone.
As the match progressed, frustration mounted, with a series of fouls and bookings disrupting the flow. Both teams lacked the composure to find a decisive breakthrough. Late substitutions, including the introduction of young striker Francesco Camarda, did not change the outcome.
In the closing stages, Lecce had a final opportunity to secure a victory, but Camarda’s cross sailed harmlessly beyond the far post. Verona then thought they had found a winner when Andrias Edmundsson headed home from a free-kick. However, VAR reviewed the play for a foul in the build-up, and the goal was disallowed.
Ultimately, neither side did enough to claim all three points, with the draw reflecting a match characterized more by effort than attacking prowess.
Verona 0-0 Lecce
Match Date: 25-04-2026 19:45
Venue: Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi
MatchDay: 34
Player Statistics
1st Half:
- 12′ – Lassana Coulibaly
2nd Half:
- 52′ – Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro
- 67′ – Ylber Ramadani
- 82′ – Nicolás Valentini
- 86′ – Walid Cheddira
- 90+3′ – Konan N’Dri
- 90+7′ – Danilo Veiga (Yellow card)
Match Statistics
Possession:
- Verona: 46%
- Lecce: 54%
Total Shots:
- Verona: 6
- Lecce: 12
Shots on Target:
- Verona: 3
- Lecce: 2
Shots off Target:
- Verona: 1
- Lecce: 5
Blocked Shots:
- Verona: 2
- Lecce: 5
Corners:
- Verona: 2
- Lecce: 4
Offsides:
- Verona: 3
- Lecce: 1
Fouls:
- Verona: 15
- Lecce: 19
Starting Lineups
Verona:
- Goalkeeper: Lorenzo Montipò
- Defenders: Andrias Edmundsson, Armel Bella-Kotchap (subbed off 51′), Martin Frese, Rafik Belghali (subbed off 87′), Victor Nelsson
- Midfielders: Antoine Bernede (subbed off 87′), Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (subbed off 63′), Roberto Gagliardini
- Attackers: Kieron Bowie, Tomas Suslov (subbed off 62′)
Lecce:
- Goalkeeper: Wladimiro Falcone
- Defenders: Antonino Gallo, Danilo Veiga, Gaby Jean, Jamil Siebert
- Midfielders: Lassana Coulibaly, Omri Gandelman (subbed off 60′), Ylber Ramadani
- Attackers: Lameck Banda (subbed off 80′), Nikola Stulic (subbed off 60′), Santiago Pierotti (subbed off 90′)
Substitutes
Verona Substitutes:
- Abdou Harroui
- Simone Perilli
- Domagoj Bradaric
- Giacomo Toniolo
- Junior Ajayi
- Moatasem Al-Musrati
- Tobias Slotsager
- Fallou Cham
- Isaac
- Nicolás Valentini (came on 51′)
- Sandi Lovric (came on 62′)
- Amin Sarr (came on 63′)
- Pol Lirola (came on 87′)
- Ioan Vermesan (came on 87′)
Lecce Substitutes:
- Thórir Jóhann Helgason
- Jasper Samooja
- Christian Früchtl
- Filip Marchwinski
- Matías Pérez
- Corrie Ndaba
- Olaf Gorter
- Niko Kovač
- Walid Cheddira (came on 60′)
- Oumar Ngom (came on 60′)
- Konan N’Dri (came on 80′)
- Francesco Camarda (came on 90′)
