Udinese revived late to draw vs. Lecce

Udinese produced a fine comeback to claim a point against Lecce and go top of Serie A.


The hosts established a 2-0 lead thanks to Simone Tiribocchi's first-half strike and an own goal from Maurizio Domizzi after the break, but Udinese rallied and Alexis Sanchez pulled one back before Gaetano D'Agostino leveled the scores.


Despite bringing their four-game winning streak to an end, the result was enough to put Udinese provisionally top ahead of Napoli and Catania on goal difference with Internazionale playing Roma in the evening kick-off.


Lecce remain mid-table with nine points from their opening seven fixtures.


The Salentini were without injured trio Angelo, Andrea Ardito and Davide Petrachi, although midfielder Andrea Zanchetta was available to start in midfield after recovering from a knock.


Udinese also had absentees with Emanuele Belardi and Fernando Tissone missing through injury and Brazilian defender Felipe suffering from the flu, but they started the brighter.


Simone Pepe, operating on the right of a three-man attack for the visitors, was a constant menace and his shot from the edge of the area was blocked by defender Fabiano, only for Fabio Quagliarella to blast the rebound over.


A few minutes later Pepe flew down the right wing before firing a shot-cum-cross which Lecce keeper Francesco Benussi successfully intercepted.


Udinese's Antonio Floro Flores then drew a save from Benussi with a 25-yard shot as the visitors pressed hard in the opening 20 minutes.


Lecce did not have to wait long before testing the Udinese keeper with midfielder Fabio Caserta's strike packing plenty of venom but lacking the placement as Samir Handanovic punched clear.


D'Agostino also had an effort from long range before Lecce took a surprise lead in the 32nd minute.


An error from Udinese's Andrea Coda allowed Tiribocchi in on goal and he calmly slotted past Handanovic.


Udinese looked to respond immediately but Quagliarella's shot from the edge of the area was easily fielded by a relieved Benussi.


And the busy Lecce keeper was pressed into action again just before half-time when he saved from Floro Flores.


Despite being under pressure in defense, Lecce continued to threaten on the break and they extended the lead after 52 minutes as Domizzi deflected Caserta's corner into his own net.


Udinese were incensed by the goal as they believed the corner should not have been awarded in the first place.


Lecce could have sealed the win a few minutes later but Zanchetta's long-range effort whistled past a post and Udinese responded by halving the deficit after 58 minutes.


Floro Flores beat the offside trap on the left before crossing for the onrushing Sanchez to convert.


Benussi then denied Floro Flores a second time by pulling off a great diving save after the forward had met Aleksandar Lukovic's center from the left.


Udinese, though, were galvanized and drew level with 19 minutes remaining.


D'Agostino's free-kick deceived Benussi who remained stationary as the ball swerved and dipped inside the net.


The visitors almost grabbed a late winner but Gokhan Inler volleyed wide from Sanchez's cross.