Alaba substituted at half-time in starting XI debut

A bitter afternoon for David Alaba and Udinese Calcio!

The ÖFB defender's new club lost 3-0 to US Lecce in front of their home crowd in the 7th round of Italy's Serie A. Alaba made his starting XI debut.

However, the 34-year-old was substituted at half-time. Until then, the Viennese player had been inconspicuous, winning only one duel. With the ball, he completed 31/36 passes.

Goals from Set Pieces

The visitors were the better team from the first minute, pressing for the opening goal. After eleven minutes, they scored for the first time: Gaspar headed a Gallo corner kick over the goal line from close range (11').

Lecce proved particularly dangerous from set pieces. After just over half an hour, N'Dri also scored from a corner (33').

At half-time, coach Kosta Runjaic reacted to his team's poor performance with a triple substitution. Among others, Alaba had to leave the field, replaced by youngster Matteo Palma, who is reportedly also a candidate for the ÖFB.

Brief Celebration

In the second half, the hosts showed at least a little more threat in attack. There was even a brief celebration after Piotrowski, who came on as a substitute, scored a supposed consolation goal. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR (59').

However, Lecce continued to have the better scoring chances. Jamil Siebert sealed the victory, completing a fine solo run in the 86th minute.

For Udinese, it is already their fifth defeat in seven league games, leaving them in 15th place in the table. Lecce has nine points and is eleventh.