Siena vs Lecce preview - Sannino sees a six-pointer

Posted Sunday, September 25, 2011 by PA

Siena coach Giuseppe Sannino has stressed the importance of claiming points against teams also likely to be battling against relegation ahead of Sunday`s Serie A tussle with Lecce.

The promoted Tuscan outfit head into this weekend's encounter buoyed by Thursday's 1-1 draw at Roma, a late equaliser from defender Roberto Vitiello at the Stadio Olimpico having earned Siena their second point of the campaign.

"My players put in an extraordinary performance against Roma," Sannino said. "I am delighted with the result as it's not easy to take a point in Rome, but I'm especially pleased with the character and display shown by my players, who followed the game plan to perfection.

"Now we have a very important game against Lecce, a team whose aim - like ours - is to avoid the drop, and we hope to claim our first win of the season against them."

Sannino will have all of his players available this weekend with the exception of injured defender Gabriele Angella.

Eusebio Di Francesco's Lecce will be desperate to bounce back from their 2-1 midweek loss to Atalanta - their second defeat of the campaign - and clinch their first win of the season at Siena.

However, Di Francesco knows his side must do better if they are to come out triumphant.

"I didn't like my team's approach in the second half," Di Francesco said. "We were naive and made stupid mistakes that cost us the game.

"We need to show more maturity and focus."

Lecce will be without pivotal midfielder Carlos Grossmuller, who serves a one-match ban.