**Lecce rolls into July action looking sharp, but NK Istra 1961 won't be a pushover in this friendly tussle.** 🔴

The Salentini are building serious momentum—three wins in their last five, including a neat scalp over Genoa. Yet that stumble vs Timișoara reminds us preseason is unpredictable. Istra, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their fragment of fixtures and scored in both outings. Classic friendly setup: one side chasing rhythm, the other punching above their weight.

Key storylines:

- **Lecce's attacking thrust** through O. Gandelman and L. Banda will test Istra's resolve
- **S. Pierotti's role** in the front line as the focal point for a team building combinations
- **Istra's counter threat** after two consecutive goals scored in recent action

Expected lineups:

- **Lecce**: W. Falcone, A. Gallo, L. Coulibaly, G. Jean, D. Veiga, J. Siebert, O. Ngom, L. Banda, O. Gandelman, N. Konan, S. Pierotti
- **NK Istra 1961**: XI not provided

Prediction:

**Lecce 2-1 NK Istra 1961**. The hosts edge it on home turf and sharper buildup play, but expect Istra to keep things tight. 📍