Serie A: West Ham, Freiburg at alert as Rafiu Durosinmi struggles to save Pisa

Pisa are running out of time in their battle to avoid an immediate return to Serie B, and Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi could yet have a big role to play in their survival fight, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 23-year-old forward missed Pisa’s 1-0 defeat to Parma last weekend after being rested as a precaution. That result was another painful setback for the Tuscan club, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table with just 18 points from 34 matches.

Pisa now face what is effectively a season-defining match against Lecce on Friday night at the Cetilar Arena. A defeat would officially confirm relegation, while even a draw would leave their hopes hanging by the thinnest of threads.

Coach Oscar Hiljemark is already without influential attacker Matteo Tramoni, who is ruled out of the Lecce clash and will also miss the following game against Cremonese. That absence places even more attention on Durosinmi, whose fitness is being closely monitored.

The former Viktoria Plzen striker trained partially with the squad at San Pietro a Grado this week, offering a small sign of encouragement. Pisa’s medical staff are expected to make a late decision on whether he is fit enough to feature.

Hiljemark is likely to provide a clearer update during his pre-match press conference.

Rafiu Durosinmi: A bright start followed by frustration

Rafiu Durosinmi arrived in January for a reported club-record fee worth up to €11m including add-ons, making him one of Pisa’s boldest transfer moves in recent years.

His debut suggested Pisa had found a difference-maker. Coming off the bench against Atalanta, he scored a dramatic late equaliser in the 87th minute to earn a 1-1 draw and immediate praise from supporters.

Since then, however, things have not gone to plan. He has scored only once in 11 Serie A appearances, with one assist in 424 minutes of action. Much of that has come from the bench, while Pisa’s wider attacking problems have limited his influence.

A straight red card against Cagliari in March further disrupted his momentum.

Still, Pisa’s struggles cannot be placed solely on Durosinmi. The team have won only two league matches all season, scored too few goals, and carry the worst goal difference in the division at minus 37.

Summer uncertainty already building
With relegation now a real possibility, attention is also turning to Durosinmi’s future.

Before his move to Italy, clubs across Europe were tracking him after his strong performances in the Czech league. Interest from West Ham United and Germany’s SC Freiburg has previously been reported, and both clubs could revisit their interest if Pisa go down.

A permanent transfer may be difficult given Pisa’s recent financial investment and the striker’s long-term contract until 2030. A loan move appears more realistic if Durosinmi wants to remain in top-flight football and protect his international ambitions with Nigeria.

Staying at Pisa is also possible. Serie B could offer him regular starts, a less intense environment, and the chance to rebuild confidence after a difficult first few months in Italy.

Still, Durosinmi and Pisa’s immediate focus is on Friday night. Pisa’s survival hopes may depend on whether Durosinmi is fit enough to return, and whether he can rediscover the spark he showed on his debut when the club needs him most.