Serie A: Banda and Cheddira lead Lecce to crucial victory in relegation fight

On loan Moroccan forward Walid Cheddira set up Zambian teammate Lameck Banda for the opening goal before scoring a massive match-winner for Lecce, who condemned Pisa to relegation while giving their Serie A survival hopes a boost following Friday’s 2-1 victory.

Cheddira, who was a member of Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup squad that finish fourth place at the finals in Qatar, had not provided a goal contribution in thirteen league matches since joining on loan from Napoli at the end of January. That all changed on Friday as he combined with Banda to give the visitors a crucial three points at the Arena Garibaldi in Pisa.

Following a scoreless first half, the action picked up quickly in the second half. Cheddira showed grit and determination after tracking down a ball outside the Pisa penalty area, going to ground before emerging with the ball and picking out Banda on the left wing. The Zambia national team star moved in on goal before firing in a powerful left-footed finish to open the scoring.

Knowing a defeat would signal relegation to Serie B, hosts Pisa fought back. Former Algeria international Mehdi Léris leveled the score less than five minutes later with a splendid volley.

Cheddira gives his club’s Serie A survival hopes a shot in the arm

But the hosts were undone on the break ten minutes later. Santiago Pierotti weaved his way past multiple defenders with skilled dribbling before the Argentine set up Cheddira for a shooting opportunity. The Moroccan seized his chance to hit a clean shot past Pisa goalkeeper Adrian Semper for the forward’s second goal in thirty Serie A matches this season.

It was an emotional goal for Cheddira, who has struggled to find scoring form since joining Napoli on a permanent basis in 2023. Previously a star in Serie B with Bari, he has spent the last two seasons mostly in a substitute role over three loan spells with La Liga club Espanyol as well as this season in the Italian top flight with Sassuolo and now Lecce.

 

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The result gives Lecce some breathing room in an ongoing relegation fight that remains tense. They are four points clear of the drop zone, with Cremonese the only team now capable of catching them. Three matches remain for I Salentini, who had not won in nearly two months since a March 8 victory over Cremonese.

Next up for the Apulia-based club is a difficult home clash against Juventus next Saturday. As for Banda, he now has 4 goals and 3 assists from 29 league matches in an up-and-down campaign.