Inter Milan stretched their lead at the top of Serie A to six points after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lecce at the San Siro, leaving the visitors just three points above the relegation zone following their third consecutive defeat.
Cristian Chivu made several changes to his starting XI, handing Ange-Yoan Bonny a chance to impress. The young forward showed glimpses of his talent early on, weaving past Lecce defenders before firing a low effort that Wladimiro Falcone tipped around the post in the sixth minute.
Bonny continued to threaten, this time setting up Piotr Zielinski with a perfect opportunity, only for the shot to sail narrowly over the crossbar.
Midway through the first half, Bonny appeared to win a penalty after a challenge from Danilo Veiga, but VAR overturned the decision following a lengthy review.
Inter maintained pressure, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan testing the goalkeeper from the edge of the box after a corner, though his effort went just wide.
Marcus Thuram’s header from a late first-half corner was comfortably saved by Falcone, who immediately launched a counter, allowing Riccardo Sottil a half-volley that also drifted wide, Lecce’s only notable chance of the first half.
The second half saw Inter continue to dominate possession, but Lecce’s resilient defense and Falcone’s heroics kept the scores level.
Nicolo Barella’s header from a Carlos Augusto cross was expertly pushed away, and Andy Diouf’s follow-up attempt was blocked. Lecce nearly stole the game in the final 20 minutes when Pio Esposito’s header from a corner rattled the post.
Chivu introduced Serie A’s top scorer Lautaro Martinez to find a breakthrough. It didn’t take long, Martinez’s shot was parried by Falcone, only for Esposito to follow up and slot home the rebound 12 minutes from time.
Esposito nearly doubled the lead shortly after, curling a low shot narrowly wide, but the single goal proved enough for Inter to claim their 12th win in 14 league outings.
Lecce, meanwhile, remain the division’s lowest scorers after failing to find a late equalizer.
