US Lecce
Italian football team.
Unione Sportiva Lecce, commonly known as Lecce, is a professional football club based in Lecce, Apulia, Italy. The club currently competes in Serie A, the top tier of Italian football. Lecce was founded on March 15, 1908, initially as a multi-sport club including football, track-and-field, and cycling. The team's colors are red and yellow, earning them the nickname "I Giallorossi" (The Yellow and Reds). They also go by the monikers "I Salentini" (The Salentians) and "I Lupi" (The Wolves).
Lecce plays its home games at the Stadio Via del Mare, which has a capacity of 31,533 spectators. The stadium has been their home since 1966 and is known for its passionate atmosphere, especially during matches against rival teams. The club's symbol is a female wolf under a holm oak tree, which is also the emblem of the city of Lecce.
Throughout its history, Lecce has spent much of its time alternating between Serie A and Serie B. The club first reached Serie A in the 1985-86 season, marking the beginning of a period of relative success. Their best finish in Serie A came in the 1988-89 season when they achieved a remarkable ninth place. This remains their highest league position to date.
Lecce has won the Serie B title twice, in 2010 and 2022, demonstrating their strength in Italy's second tier. They have also tasted success in cup competitions, winning the Coppa Italia Serie C in 1975 and the Anglo-Italian Cup Semiprofessionals in 1976. These achievements, while not as prestigious as top-flight honors, are significant milestones in the club's history.
The club has faced its share of challenges over the years, including financial difficulties and relegations. However, Lecce has shown remarkable resilience, always managing to bounce back. Their most recent promotion to Serie A came at the end of the 2021-22 season when they finished first in Serie B under the guidance of manager Marco Baroni.
In recent years, Lecce has been working to establish itself as a stable Serie A club. Under the presidency of Saverio Sticchi Damiani, who took over in 2015. Lecce's main rivalry is with Bari, another prominent club from the Apulia region. Their matches, known as the Derby di Puglia, are highly anticipated events that showcase the passion of southern Italian football.