Udinese’s difficult start to the 2026-27 Serie A season worsened on Sunday as Lecce won 3-0 at the Bluenergy Stadium to inflict a fifth consecutive league defeat on Kosta Runjaic’s side.
Kiolonda Gaspar, Konan N’Dri and Jamil Siebert scored for the visitors, who moved temporarily up to 11th in the table. Udinese remain on four points after seven matches and could end the weekend in the relegation zone if Fiorentina take a point at home against Como on Sunday afternoon.
Runjaic’s team had already lost to Torino, Cagliari, Inter and Lazio in the weeks before Lecce’s visit. Their latest setback leaves them 17th and under increasing pressure in the early stages of the campaign.
Lecce arrived in Udine having also suffered defeats in their previous two matches, against Bologna and Milan, but started the afternoon two points above their hosts.
They took the lead after 11 minutes when Gaspar used his height to meet Antonino Gallo’s corner and direct a header into the net. It was the Angola international’s first goal in the Italian top flight.
Lecce doubled their advantage shortly after the half-hour mark, again from a corner, this time delivered from the opposite side.
Gaspar reached the ball at the far post and headed it back across the penalty area. N’Dri then converted, with his effort taking a deflection on its way in.
Udinese briefly thought they had reduced the deficit when Jan Piotrowski finished first time after a low ball was played into the area. The goal was ruled out for offside, however.
Lecce controlled the closing stages before Udinese’s afternoon deteriorated further in the 86th minute.
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp was sent off cheaply just beyond the halfway line, allowing Siebert to take possession and drive forward into the penalty area. He completed the move with an excellent finish into the roof of the net to make it 3-0.
The result gives Lecce a temporary lift up the Serie A standings, while Udinese’s four-point tally leaves them vulnerable to dropping into the relegation places before the weekend is over.
