The 2025-26 Coppa Italia season begins with a first-round encounter as Serie A side Lecce hosts Juve Stabia at the Stadio Via del Mare. Scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at 2:45 PM ET, this knockout match presents a classic cup tie, pitting a top-flight team against a determined lower-division opponent.
Lecce enters the competition with a clear objective: to make a deeper run than their previous season’s early exit. Despite a mixed preseason, which included a 2-2 draw against Monopoli and a dominant 5-0 victory over their opponents’ recent victims, Lecce’s superior league status and home advantage make them the clear favorites.
Under their new tactical setup, the team has shown both attacking prowess and some defensive vulnerabilities, which will need to be addressed if they are to make a strong start to the season.
Juve Stabia, on the other hand, comes into this tie with a sense of optimism and a new manager at the helm, Ignazio Abate. Having finished their last league campaign strongly, the Serie B side has a good foundation to build upon. Their preseason has also been encouraging, highlighted by a dominant victory over Sarnese 1926.
While history and league status are against them, Juve Stabia will be looking to capitalize on any early-season jitters from their Serie A rivals and cause a memorable upset.
Tactical Analysis and Key Players
Lecce will likely dominate possession and control the tempo of the game. Their strategy will focus on their creative midfielders and wingers to unlock Juve Stabia’s defense. Striker Nikola Krstović will be the main goal threat, and the home crowd’s energy will be a significant factor.
Juve Stabia’s game plan will be to stay compact and disciplined in defense, denying Lecce space in the final third. They will look to use the pace of their forwards on the counter-attack to exploit any gaps left by Lecce’s advanced players. The midfield battle will be crucial, and Juve Stabia’s ability to disrupt Lecce’s rhythm could be their best chance of a positive result.
The historical head-to-head record between the two teams heavily favors Lecce, who have won 7 of their 9 past encounters. However, with their last meeting dating back to 2018, this tie presents a fresh challenge for both sides.
Match Prediction
While a cup tie always holds the potential for an upset, Lecce’s home advantage, superior squad quality, and strong tactical setup under their management make them the strong favorites. Expect Lecce to control the game and eventually find the goals needed to secure their passage to the next round of the Coppa Italia.
Predicted Score: Lecce 2-0 Juve Stabia
How to Watch Lecce vs Juve Stabia Live Stream
The Coppa Italia first-round match is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, with a kick-off at 2:45 PM ET. The match will be broadcast on various platforms.
CountryLive Stream & TV ChannelUnited StatesParamount+United KingdomPremier Sports, Premier PlayerCanadaFuboTV Canada*Broadcast information may vary based on your location. Please check your local listings for the most accurate details.
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
