Inter Milan extends Serie A lead with commanding 2-0 victory over Lecce
Inter Milan have demonstrated resilience and determination, maintaining their four-point lead at the summit of Serie A with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Lecce on Saturday.
Yann Bissek, experiencing a challenging start at Inter, showcased his prowess with a debut goal just before halftime, complemented by Nicolo Barella’s late finish.
The win allowed Inter to shake off the disappointment of a midweek cup defeat to Bologna and thwarted the advancing threat from their closest rivals, Juventus.
Reflecting on the victory, coach Inzaghi emphasized its significance, stating, “It was important to win, and that wasn’t guaranteed after Wednesday’s game, so I’m really happy.”
Despite missing star striker Lautaro Martinez, who was sidelined due to injury, Inter’s defense and timely goals demonstrated their title-winning aspirations, securing a fourth consecutive league win.
Marko Arnautovic’s subpar performance highlighted Inter’s reliance on Martinez, but Barella’s 78th-minute goal ensured a comfortable victory over 12th-placed Lecce.
Arnautovic, acknowledging his challenging form, expressed optimism about returning to his best and thanked teammates for their support.
Meanwhile, Juventus stayed in contention with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Frosinone, thanks to Dusan Vlahovic’s decisive goal.
The Serbian striker, with six league goals, acknowledged the challenges but emphasized his commitment to contributing to the team.
In a disastrous season for Napoli, their woes deepened as they fell a staggering 17 points behind Inter after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Roma.
Lorenzo Pellegrini’s 76th-minute goal and Romelu Lukaku’s stoppage-time strike sealed Napoli’s fate in a tempestuous match that featured 13 bookings and two red cards.
Roma, under Jose Mourinho, moved into sixth place, surpassing Napoli in the standings. Star striker Victor Osimhen, on the day of his contract extension until 2026, was one of the two players sent off.
Mourinho, pleased with the performance, stated, “We played very well eleven against eleven, had two great chances early on and were always in control.”
Roma’s victory sets the stage for an intriguing clash against Juventus next weekend, with the sixth-placed team now within three points of high-flying Bologna.
Bologna secured a 1-0 victory over Atalanta, positioning themselves in fourth place at Christmas. Lewis Ferguson’s winning header in the dying minutes continued Bologna’s remarkable season, and the Scottish midfielder expressed confidence in the team’s Champions League qualification prospects, stating, “There’s a real belief.”
In another Serie A fixture, Verona snapped a 14-match winless streak with a 2-0 triumph over Cagliari, propelling them out of the relegation zone.
The victory provides a glimmer of hope for Verona as they strive to secure their Serie A status.
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