Lecce, fear for Lameck Banda: out on stretcher after collapsing

Moments of apprehension at the stadium Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in the final of the challenge between Napoli and Lecce. In the 87th minute, the Salentini’s striker Lameck Banda suddenly collapsed on the field, initially causing fears of an illness. The first to notice the situation were the Blue coach Antonio Conte and the home outfielder Matteo Politano, who immediately drew the attention of the referee and the fourth man. The game was then stopped to allow the medical staff to enter and render aid to the player.

Andrea Gussoni

Unfortunately, Banda recovered shortly thereafter. However, the striker was escorted off the field on a stretcher and will undergo further investigations. According to reports from Lecce’s team manager, the player reportedly experienced severe stomach pain after a blow received seconds before the incident. From the Salento club, however, optimism seeps out: Banda is fine and his condition is of no particular concern.

As for the match, Napoli won 2-1 in a comeback. The Antonio Conte-coached team thus clinched its third consecutive league victory thanks to goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Matteo Politano, consolidating third place in the standings. The Azzurri then climbed to 59 points, bringing them to +8 over Como 1907 and AS Roma and -1 from AC Milan, second. The formation led by Eusebio Di Francesco played a great first half but dropped in the second half. In the standings, Lecce remained 16th with 27 points, +3 on the relegation zone.

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna gave a lengthy interview to the microphones of Sportmediaset in which he discussed several topics including the future of Antonio Conte and Scott McTominay. “I evaluate this season as extremely positive,” he pointed out. “We must remember that in two years we won an unexpected Scudetto and then the Super Cup in a clear and deserved way”.

“Our goal has always been to hit the Champions League positions, then it is clear during the championship the growth of the squad and the work can also lead you to aspire to something more”, he concluded on the sidelines of the match.