Marked for Andrea Riva
From our football correspondent
Steady
The dugout10 May 2027
The manager makes an example of Stefano Bonaiti
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Squad10 May 2027
“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Andrea Riva and Lecco agree another 3 years.
The dugout10 May 2027
Every manager keeps a short list in his head of the men he wants on the pitch when the stakes rise, and it is never published. The team sheets for the big afternoons say Federico Arena is on it.
The dugout10 May 2027
Nothing in writing and nothing in public: a word about playing time, given face to face at Lecco. The team sheets over the next month will show whether it was worth having.
The dugout10 May 2027
Nicola Fasan asks for a word with the manager
“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.
Market10 May 2027
Every press conference now starts and ends the same way: with Thomas Vettorel’s future. The manager has run out of new ways to say nothing.
Back issues
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad29 Mar 2027
“The easiest signature of my career.” Anas Alaoui and Lecco agree another 5 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
The dugout29 Mar 2027
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Andrea Mallamo, and the manager let it.
Squad29 Mar 2027
Nicolò Tondi in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Lecco this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
The dugout29 Mar 2027
Every manager keeps a short list in his head of the men he wants on the pitch when the stakes rise, and it is never published. The team sheets for the big afternoons say Giulio Manetti is on it.
Looking ahead29 Mar 2027
He used to wear the other shirt. On Saturday he plays against AlbinoLeffe in this one, and whatever he says this week about it being just another game will be untrue.
The dugout29 Mar 2027
A conversation in the manager’s office, and a commitment that came out of it. Promises like that are cheap to make and expensive to break, and Stefano Bonaiti has written the date down.
Market29 Mar 2027
Anas Alaoui linked with a move away
The name of Anas Alaoui keeps appearing in other people's back pages. Lecco say nothing, which says plenty.
The dugout29 Mar 2027
Nicola Fasan knocks on the manager's door
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Lecco, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Looking ahead29 Mar 2027
Looking ahead: the trip to AlbinoLeffe
Position 15 for the hosts, a long journey for the away end, and a fixture that will look ordinary on paper right up until it is not.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Match5 Dec 2026
5 matches without a win for Lecco
The run now stands at 5, and the questions being asked around Lecco are no longer polite ones.
Squad7 Dec 2026
“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Andrea Mallamo commits to Lecco for another 3 years.
The dugout7 Dec 2026
The manager makes an example of Jacopo Furlan
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Match5 Dec 2026
Late, late show earns Lecco a point
Minute 86, against Novara, and a goal that felt like a win to everybody who had stayed. It was a draw. Nobody leaving the ground will describe it as one.
Match5 Dec 2026
Honours even between Lecco and Novara
2‑2, and both dressing rooms will call it two points lost. A draw that asked plenty of questions and answered none of them.
Squad7 Dec 2026
Nicolò Tondi in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Lecco this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad7 Dec 2026
Lukas Sinn named in the team of the month
A month is long enough that nobody gets in by accident. Lukas Sinn is in the division's best eleven for it, which is a quieter compliment than an award and a more reliable one.
The dugout7 Dec 2026
“There are things I liked and things we will be doing on Tuesday until they are right.” 2‑2, and a manager who had already decided what Tuesday looked like.
The dugout7 Dec 2026
Somebody else is better right now than Oliver Urso
The team sheet says it in public every week until it changes. The only version of being dropped a footballer cannot argue with, and the one he takes hardest.