LECCE, ITALY - NOVEMBER 08: Santiago Pierotti of Lecce celebrates after scoring his team's equlizing goal during the Serie A match between Lecce and Empoli at Stadio Via del Mare on November 08, 2024 in Lecce, Italy.

Pierotti's 1st goal lifts Lecce out of last place

Maurizio Lagana / Getty Images Sport / Getty

LECCE, Italy (AP) — Argentine forward Santiago Pierotti scored his first goal for Lecce to help stave off another Serie A defeat with a 1-1 draw against Empoli on Friday.

Antonio Gallo crossed from the left for the centrally positioned forward to head a late equalizer for the home team.

It was Pierotti’s first goal in 22 Serie A appearances since joining Lecce from Argentine club Colón de Santa Fe in January.

Lecce started the game bottom of the table after losing five of its previous seven matches, but Friday’s point lifted it above Monza and Venezia before they play Lazio and Parma, respectively.

Pietro Pellegri fired inside the left post from outside the penalty area in the 33rd for Empoli, his second goal in as many games. Pellegri’s goal for the 1-0 win over Como last weekend was his first since his summer switch from Torino.