Inter Milan 2-0 Lecce: Lautaro Martinez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan secure routine win for Simone Inzaghi’s side

Inter Milan cruised to a 2-0 victory over Lecce and leapfrogged Lazio into second place in Serie A.

Simone Inzaghi’s men controlled proceedings from the first whistle, moving the ball with confidence and getting at Lecce down the flanks. The Inter players were able find space in wide areas with ease and stretch the pitch.

Inter took the lead after 29 minutes, Nicolo Barella showed great composure to shift the ball onto his right foot before laying it off to Henrikh Mkhitaryan who thumped home his effort into the top corner. It was the first real moment of genuine quality of the half and the goal had been coming.

The Nerazzurri continued to have great joy on the right-hand side, with the majority of their attacks coming down that flank. It was this route which gave Inter their second goal of the match just seven minutes into the second half. Barella played a fine ball down the right for Denzel Dumfries to latch onto before firing a pass across the box to Lautaro Martinez who struck his effort first time past Wladimiro Falcone from around 12 yards.

The visitors got on the ball more in the second period, forcing Inter to do more defending but all without creating any clear-cut opportunities to really trouble their opponents. Lecce had eight shots in the second period alone but failed to register a single shot on target.

Inter managed the end of the game well, keeping the ball and going about their business in a very professional manner. Inzaghi’s side never really had to get out of first gear to earn the result but it’s a valuable win nonetheless and it’s a victory which takes them into second place above Lazio.

TALKING POINT – GETTING THE JOB DONE

After the disappointing defeat at the hands of Bologna last week, this was a game you felt Inter really had to win. The dream of the Scudetto is all but gone, with Inter coming into this clash 18 points behind Napoli, but it was important for Inzaghi’s side to return to winning ways and move back into second place. UEFA Champions League qualification is now the aim and considering Inter have already lost seven matches, more than any other team in the top five, this was a potential banana skin that Inter dealt with well. It’s a win which takes them 15 points behind Napoli but more importantly, takes them two points clear of Lazio and in front of rivals Milan, both of whom are patiently waiting for Inter to slip up.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – HAKAN CALHANOGLU (INTER)

The 29-year-old had a terrific game and was involved in a lot of what Inter did well. His passing was progressive and accurate, always looking to move his team up the pitch and into attacking areas. His switches of play from one side to the other in particular were fantastic. Without the ball he put a shift in too, making one interception and one tackle as well as winning two of his three duels. A good performance for a man who is in superb form.

PLAYER RATINGS

Inter: Onana 7, Darmian 7, Acerbi 7, Bastoni 7, Dumfries 7, Barella 8, Calhanoglu 8*, Mkhitaryan 8, Gosens 8, Dzeko 7, Martinez 8 Subs: D’Ambrosio 6, Brozovic 6, Gagliardini 6, Zanotti N/A, Lukaku 6

Lecce: Falcone 5, Pezzella 6, Umtiti 6, Tuia 6, Gendrey 6, Gonzalez 6, Hjulmand 6, Maleh 6, Di Francesco 6, Ceesay 7, Strefezza 6 Subs: Romagnoli 6, Blin 6, Helgason 6, Oudin 6, Banda 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

19′ JUST WIDE FROM DZEKO! – That is Inter’s best chance so far, the Bosnian forward gets his head on the corner and it’s just wide of the target.

29′ GOAL – INTER – That is a fantastic goal to open the scoring! Nico Barella shows great composure to turn with the ball before laying it off to Mkhitaryan who thumps it home first time right into the top corner.

52‘ GOAL – INTER – Lautaro Martinez makes it 2-0! Denzel Dumfries fires in a pass across the floor which Martinez strikes first time. A very, very good finish and Inter are all but there barring a collapse.

KEY STAT

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has scored in two consecutive home games in Serie A for the first time since 2021 (As Roma v Crotone and Lazio). via Opta Paolo on Twitter.