Inter secured a victory of double significance as a late strike from youngster Pio Esposito edged the Nerazzurri past Lecce, allowing Cristian Chivu’s side to open up a valuable gap at the top of the table while once again exposing, and partially overcoming, their own limitations.
It was not a straightforward evening at San Siro, nor the dominant performance many had anticipated. Yet, in a match that demanded patience and resilience, it was Esposito who stepped up to provide the decisive moment, underlining his growing importance within Chivu’s squad and offering Inter a glimpse of a different attacking solution.
The result carries added weight following Napoli’s slip against Parma and represents Inter’s first genuine attempt at breaking away in the title race. More importantly, it showed the Nerazzurri’s ability to continue collecting points against teams in the lower half of the standings, even when fluency and intensity are lacking.
Inter, however, were far from their best. The usual aggression, vertical play and hunger were largely absent, particularly in a first half marked by a slow tempo and an overly confident approach. Aside from two promising initiatives by Bonny, which resulted in a save from Falcone and a penalty initially awarded then overturned, clear chances were limited.
Lecce, despite arriving in Milan with a heavily depleted squad, almost punished Inter just before the interval. A collective defensive lapse allowed Sottil a free sight of goal, though his effort drifted wide with Sommer caught out of position.
Chivu’s selections were largely deliberate rather than enforced, and several tactical issues resurfaced. The right flank again proved problematic, with Diouf showing commitment but struggling out of position as a left-footed player deployed on the right. In midfield, the absence of a natural deputy for Çalhanoğlu remains a talking point, with Zieliński unable to replicate the Turkish playmaker’s influence despite support from Mkhitaryan.
The attacking partnership of Bonny and Thuram also appeared ill-suited, with both forwards offering similar profiles and failing to complement one another. Inter’s usual threat from set pieces was noticeably reduced, with Dimarco left out by choice and Çalhanoğlu sidelined through injury, limiting effectiveness from corners and direct free kicks.
After 78 minutes of sterile pressure and missed opportunities, Chivu turned to a heavier attacking setup, introducing Lautaro Martínez and pairing him with Thuram and Esposito. The gamble paid off. A moment of determination and physical presence from the young striker finally broke the deadlock, with Lautaro also heavily involved in the move.
It was not vintage Inter, but it was enough. Esposito’s decisive contribution not only secured three vital points but also highlighted a potential solution in matches where established patterns fail. In a congested and demanding period ahead, this victory may prove as psychologically important as it is mathematically valuable.
Inter may still be searching for consistency against direct rivals, but for now, Chivu’s side continue to move forward, with a young striker showing that he is ready to shoulder responsibility when it matters most.
