Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca was at the centre of controversy during his side’s Serie A clash against Lecce at the Stadio Via del Mare. The match took an unexpected turn when Udinese were awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul on Sandi Lovric.
Despite designated penalty taker Florian Thauvin stepping forward, Lucca insisted on taking the spot-kick, leading to a heated exchange with several teammates. Ignoring their protests, he held onto the ball, receiving a yellow card for time-wasting in the process. He eventually took the penalty and scored, but the reaction was telling—his teammates refused to celebrate and quickly returned to their positions.
Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic, visibly unimpressed, substituted Lucca moments later, bringing on Iker Bravo. Meanwhile, an exasperated Thauvin reportedly requested to be taken off himself.
Although Lucca’s goal brought his season tally to ten, his night ended in frustration rather than triumph, leaving Udinese with a tense dressing-room atmosphere to manage.
