Article by Maria Olteanu, Romeo Ene – Published Wednesday, January 14, 2026 23:45 / Updated Wednesday, January 14, 2026 23:53
Inter, the team coached by Cristi Chivu (45 years old), had a much more complicated match than expected against Lecce, occupying the 17th place. They prevailed at the limit, struggling, score 1-0, after the success of Pio Esposito (20 years old), from the 78th minute.
The Serie A leader started the game strongly, and in the 6th minute he missed the first opportunity. Bonny sent a shot on foot, but Falcone had an incredible reflex and deflected it into the corner.
The most controversial phase of the first half came in the 28th minute, when “central” Fabio Maresca dictated a shot from 11 meters for Inter after a foul by right-back Veiga.
The phase was analyzed in the VAR room, the referee reviewed it and overturned the original decision. Mkhitaryan could make it 1-0 (36'), after a long shot, but the ball was deflected by the defense of the guests.
Inter also forced in the second act, but pedaled more in the goal. Barella sent a header (51'), but Lecce's goalkeeper rejected it. Chivu would make a smart move in the 57th minute when Pio Esposito replaced Ange-Yoan Bonny.
He went to the ramp in the 71st minute, after sending his head over the goal. Immediately, Lecce had their only and biggest chance. Antonino Gallo put Sommer to the test and the home keeper made a difficult save.
The scoreboard was unfrozen in the 78th minute. Lautaro Martinez shot, the visitors' keeper deflected inside the box, Esposito tracked and scored with a powerful shot, hopeless for Falcone.
It ended 1-0 for Inter, and Cristi Chivu's team takes advantage of the wrong step made today by Napoli (0-0) with Parma, and consolidates its first place, with 6 points ahead of places 2 and 3. Milan, in second position, will meet Como in this stage.
For Chivu and Inter, the away duel with Udinese follows on January 17.
FINAL » Inter – Lecce 1-0
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mark: F. Esposito 78'
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Inter – Lecce, the starting teams
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer – Acerbi, Akanji, Bastoni – Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, C. Augusto – Bonny, Thuram
reserves: Calligaris, Taho, Berenbruch, Bisseck, Bovo, Cocchi, Darmian, de Vrij, Dimarco, Esposito, Frattesi, Luis Henrique, L. Martinez, Sucic
Coach: Cristi Chivu
Lecce (4-2-3-1): Falcone – Veiga, Thiago Gabriel, Siebert, Gallo – Coulibaly, Maleh – Pierotti, Gandelman, Sottil – Stulic
reserves: Fruchtl, Samooja, Gorter, Helgason, G. Jean, Kaba, Kouassi, Marchwinski, Ndaba, Ndri, Ngom, M. Perez, A. Sala, Tete Morente
Coach: Eusebio Di Francesco
