Lecce vs FC Politehnica Timisoara

The match was goalless at half-time, with Lecce manager Francesco Di Francesco fielding a completely different XI in each half — a pattern typical of early pre-season friendlies. The Serie A side had beaten Hungarian club Haladás 1-0 three days earlier (Hjalte Laerke 53') and came into this fixture looking to build momentum.

FC Politehnica Timișoara, a Romanian second-division side preparing for the 2026-27 Liga 2 season starting 1 August, grew into the game in the second half. Lecce goalkeeper Johannes Fruchtl, who replaced Wladimiro Falcone at the interval, was immediately called into action.

At the 50-minute mark, R. Benzar stepped up for Politehnica Timișoara from the penalty spot but saw his effort saved by Fruchtl. The Romanian side continued to press and won a second penalty in the 87th minute. Fruchtl again guessed correctly, saving Artean's spot-kick low to his left, but the rebound fell invitingly to I. Doana, who smashed the ball home from close range in the 88th minute.

Lecce could not muster a response in the remaining minutes. The hosts made no substitutions across the 90 minutes, while Politehnica Timișoara used 10 changes.

The 87th minute. After nearly 90 minutes of fruitless pressure, Politehnica Timișoara won a second penalty. Fruchtl's save matched his earlier heroics, but the loose ball fell to Doana, who scored from close range. The sequence summed up a frustrating afternoon for Di Francesco's side — resolute enough to keep the Romanians at bay for 87 minutes, but unable to clear the decisive rebound.

Johannes Fruchtl (Lecce) — The German goalkeeper, who replaced Wladimiro Falcone at half-time, was the standout player on the pitch. He saved two penalties (Benzar 50', Artean 87') but was ultimately undone by the rebound from the second save. Without his interventions, the scoreline could have been far wider.

I. Doana (FC Politehnica Timișoara) — Scored the only goal of the game, showing sharp instincts to follow up on the saved penalty and slot home. His 88th-minute strike proved decisive.

Hjalte Laerke (Lecce) — The 19-year-old Dane, who scored Lecce's winner against Haladás three days earlier, started the match and was booked in the 38th minute but could not replicate his goal-scoring form before being substituted at half-time.

The provider data shows Lecce made 0 substitutions across the entire match, while Politehnica Timișoara made 10. Three yellow cards were shown. The three penalty events — two saved and one converted on the rebound — dominated the second-half narrative. Both sides had a goalless first half, with the visitors' persistence eventually paying off.

Lecce's second pre-season friendly of the 2026/27 summer ended in defeat, following their 1-0 win over Hungarian side Haladás on 19 July. Di Francesco's side will continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026-27 Serie A campaign, which kicks off in August. The exact next fixture for Lecce was not confirmed at the time of writing.

FC Politehnica Timișoara, preparing for the Liga 2 season starting 1 August, will take significant confidence from a result against a top-flight Italian opponent.

A pre-season friendly with limited competitive significance, but the manner of defeat — conceding a rebound from a saved penalty in the 88th minute — will give Di Francesco talking points. Fruchtl's double penalty save was the individual highlight, but Politehnica Timișoara's persistence and sharp finishing from Doana earned them a notable scalp.