Di Francesco: ‘Lecce victory at 96th minute was cardiac stress test’ | OneFootball

Lecce coach Eusebio Di Francesco jokes that the dramatic 3-2 victory over Sassuolo hasn’t secured Serie A safety, but it did work as ‘a cardiac stress test.’

The Salentini went into this penultimate round sitting one point clear of Cremonese and the drop zone.

That situation remains intact, because while Cremonese earned a 1-0 win away to Udinese, Lecce had to wait until the 96th minute to match that result.

Walid Cheddira’s brace had put them 2-1 up, cancelled out by the Andrea Pinamonti back-heel flick, but Nikola Stulic fired in the winner deep into stoppages.

Di Francesco feels Lecce strain

SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Stefano Turati of US Sassuolo Calcio clashes with Eusebio Di Francesco, Head Coach of US Lecce, after the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“If I didn’t get a heart attack tonight…” Di Francesco told Sky Sport Italia.

“I think this was less a match, more of a cardiac stress test, and evidently I passed.”

SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Eusebio Di Francesco, Head Coach of US Lecce (L), and Fabio Grosso, Head Coach of US Sassuolo Calcio, interact prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

There was some tension on the touchline after the goal, especially between Di Francesco and Sassuolo coach Fabio Grosso.

“I heard some talk about respect, but come on, let’s not be silly,” replied the tactician.

SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: A member of staff from US Lecce is shown a red card by referee Federico La Penna during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

If not for that Stulic goal, then Lecce would’ve gone into the final round already in the relegation zone, but now their fate is still in their hands.

“Cheddira has always given his heart and soul on the pitch, he’s looked really bright recently. I was convinced that he and Stulic could give us a hand at the crucial moment, and I only told my director this week that Stulic was the one who would take us to the objective.”

SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Kialonda Gaspar, Nikola Stulic and Omri Gandelman of US Lecce celebrate following the team’s victory in the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

This is the first time all season that Di Francesco’s men have managed to score three goals in a single game.

“The team always created dangerous situations, but we were lacking something in the final ball. I only knew one road forward, which was to work in training and try to replicate that in the match situation.

“On the other hand, we didn’t defend as well as we could this evening and Sassuolo had a lot of scoring opportunities, so we lost our balance.”

It is not done yet, but if they beat Genoa at the Stadio Via del Mare next week, then Lecce will be safe from the drop and send Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese down.

“This team worked for a whole season with order and discipline, two great virtues. There might be sides who have more quality, just look at Sassuolo for example, but we did well.”