This match may not have been as thrilling as the early game, in which Napoli came from behind twice to beat Lazio 4-3, but at least the second half featured a couple goals, as per request. Oddly enough, however, both of those goals came from tiny Lecce, and more specifically, from the young Italian Andrea Bertolacci. The 2-0 win over Udinese lifts Lecce into safety, at least for a week. Cesena's 2-2 draw with Fiorentina leaves them one point behind Lecce, while Parma's loss to Bari gives them just one point over Lecce.
Lecce Vs. Udinese: Andrea Bertolacci Bags A Brace In 2-0 Lecce Win
But today is all about victory for Lecce, and they should be celebrating the accomplishments of Bertolacci rather than focusing on the Serie A table. The midfielder, on loan from AS Roma, had just one goal on the season prior to today, a contribution to Lecce's 2-0 win over Juventus. Today's first goal was rather funny, as Bertolacci slipped past Mauricio Isla and Kwadwo Asamoah to put himself in front of goal. Udinese defender Medhi Benatia drug himself along the ground in an attempt to stop the ball, but Bertolacci's shot fired straight past Samir Handanovič and into the net.
The second Bertolacci goal was less impressive -- more a case of him being in the right place at the right time. Jeda took the ball up the right side of the field, keeping Maurizio Domizzi at bay until he was able to fire a pass into the center of the box. Bertolacci was there waiting, with little to do except tap in.
It may be an impressive win for Lecce, but fortunately for Udinese, it does little to dent their hopes of a Champions League position, although of course they would have enjoyed a bigger lead over the rest of their rivals. Roma and Juventus have the late match, with a Roma win lifting them to within three points of that coveted fourth place position.
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