Lecce came into the game having scored only two goals in their previous eight matches, but they took control of the game early on as Udinese were forced to defend.
Their lack of potency in the final third was apparent as passes were overhit and their lack of confidence resulted in players looking for an extra touch or pass at the vital moment which allowed the visitors to clear.
Despite the hosts enjoying total domination of the first half, it was actually Udinese who came the closest to breaking the deadlock. Sandi Lovric pounced on a high looping ball with an opportunistic overhead kick which had Wladimiro Falcone scrambling, but he managed to get a strong hand on the ball to keep it out.
Lecce continued to dominate after the break but the feeling that it might not be their night continued to grow.
Federico Di Francesco was left alone in the six-yard box but could only direct his header straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Moments later, he found himself in behind and produced a fantastic finish at the near post, but he was just offside.
The home side just needed something to go their way, and it finally came midway through the second half after a VAR review resulted in a penalty. Although the hosts had suffered from a lack of confidence all evening, top-scorer Gabriel Strefezza was calmness personified as he calmly stroked the penalty into the corner.
As expected, Lecce started to retreat in an attempt to hold on to their lead, but the visitors were unable to produce an effort of note and it ended 1-0.
The result leaves Udinese’s European hopes hanging by a thread, but Lecce are now five points ahead of the relegation zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Samuel Umtiti (Lecce)
