Lecce’s season has gotten off to a rough start after they were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Serie B side Cittadella.

This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who note that the Apulian team are already scrambling particularly in defense with just a week before they host Inter for their Serie A opener.

Inter will face Lecce in their first match of the season as they had done three years ago, with the Giallorossi having just been promoted to Serie A as they had been in that season as well.

Lecce coach Marco Baroni will have no illusions about the difficulty of his task in hosting the Nerazzurri, and the nature of their first-round exit from the Coppa Italia will make clear the issues that they face.

Lecce managed to take the lead during the second half against Cittaddella but let it slip before losing 3-2 in extra time, hardly the kind of form they will want to head into the first match back in the top flight in.