In Lecce they had long awaited the return of Nikola Krstovic, the Montenegrin striker who turned 24 on April 4th. And he had waited for the goal. With that hunger that only attackers have. Because the missing goal was starting to become really too heavy. Against Monza, however, the attacker awakens and finds not only the joy of marking but a truly valuable play, served splendidly by Santiago Pierotti, another element that deserves further investigation.
Krstovic arrives in Lecce in the summer transfer market, but not in time to prepare. So much so that in his first outing, the victorious one against Lazio, he wasn’t even called up. But the environment feels the need for a bomber jacket and knows how to wait for it. And he repays all these expectations at the first available opportunity. In fact, in Fiorentina-Lecce, four minutes after entering the match, an assist from Banda was scored, starting the Giallorossi’s comeback. Against Salernitana, six minutes into the match he scored the momentary one-nil goal. And then again against Monza, in the first leg, three minutes into the match, he converted the penalty to make the momentary one-nil. In short, in Lecce he begins to specialize in goals after just a few seconds. He becomes the striker par excellence. The comparisons are endless. Some compare him to Lucarelli, some to Pasculli. History will speak for him, but the truth is that you have the impression of being faced with a striker with great skills who can hurt at any time and in any way. D’Aversa pampers him, but soon the lean moment arrives. The goals, in fact, are starting to run out and Lecce’s performance, which started off like a rocket at the start of the championship, also changes. And priorities also change. Krstovic is no longer an irremovable starter and the dualism with Piccoli is sometimes resolved to the latter’s advantage.
Gotti’s arrival, however, seems to change things. The choice to play with two very close strikers gives him confidence and a relationship of understanding with his teammate. It must be said that already in the match against Frosinone, with D’Aversa on the bench, Krstovic showed signs of awakening. He plays a good match and takes the one-to-one penalty which, despite hitting the post, goes in after meeting Cerofolini’s back. Against Salernitana, Mr. Gotti’s first official outing, another goal arrives halfway through. A strike into the penalty area, aimed at the goal, was deflected decisively by Gyomber. Against Sassuolo, the assist arrives for Piccoli’s three-nil goal. And finally against Monza the great goal that could have been worth three points and almost early salvation. The match ends one by one and gives Lecce a point, but no problem: the fundamental thing is Krstovic’s return. A goal to see and review. A perfect athletic gesture. The Montenegrin takes aim, waits for the ball, kicks with the outside of his neck and the resulting trajectory is splendid. The talented Di Gregorio can do nothing as he tries in vain to dive to his left.
