Cesena 0 - 1 Lecce - Bad start for new Cesena boss

Posted Sunday, November 06, 2011 by PA

Daniele Arrigoni endured a disappointing start as coach of strugglers Cesena in a 1-0 home defeat to 10-man Lecce.

Juan Guillermo Cuadrado scored the only goal of the game in the 56th minute to inflict a seventh defeat on winless Cesena.

Lecce had Luis Muriel sent off for a double booking three minutes after the goal, but the home side did not capitalise.

The Puglia team ended a seven-match winless run while Cesena fell five points behind them at the bottom of the table.

Cesena were looking for a change in fortunes with Arrigoni, who replaced Marco Giampaolo after his sacking last weekend.

The visitors had the first chance early on but Cesena goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli kept out Morris Carrozzieri's powerful header in the opening minute.

The hosts had their first opportunity midway through the first half.

Adrian Mutu, who returned to action today after serving a three-match ban, fired just wide of the far post from 30 yards. Mutu then fed Guillermo Rodriguez inside the area, but his effort was parried away by Lecce goalkeeper Massimiliano Benassi.

Rodriguez wasted another good chance with his close-range header from Mutu's cross going wide.

Lecce almost went ahead before the break as Carlos Grossmuller fed Muriel but his attempt went over the bar from six yards.

Lecce continued to press forward after the restart and broke the deadlock. Grossmuller fed Cuadrado in the heart of the area and he struck the ball past Antonioli.

Lecce's celebrations were tempered, though, as Muriel was sent off when he picked up his second yellow card for dissent.

Cesena should have equalised on the hour mark, yet Eder's header from Mutu's cross was kept out by Benassi.

The hosts had numerous chances to pull level before the final whistle.

Erjon Bogdani and Mutu were among those to spurn scoring opportunities with their close-range headers going high.