Final score

6 January 2004 15:00

Inter
40' (2nd half) Vieri
15' (2nd half) Cordoba
5' (2nd half) Cruz
Lecce
3' Bovo
Referee: Pasquale Rodomonti / Linesmen: Strocchia, Ricci / Fourth official: De Marco
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
46' It's 1-0 to Lecce after the first half.
45' 1 minute of added time to play.
45' Vieri's shot comes off the Giallorossi wall. But the Nerazzurri remain in possession and bring the ball into the Lecce box. From close range Adani forces Poleksic to make a great save, but the defender is offside.
44' Stovini brings down Oba just outside the Lecce penalty area. Free kick. Forza ragazzi.
44' Emre is booked for a foul on Chevanton
41' Cruz chests down a long ball forward then Vieri fouls Stovini in his attempt to volley home.
40' Great play by Javier Zanetti, who uses all his power to shrug off a challenge from an opponent then crosses into the area from the right-wing by-line. Lecce clear and Inter win a corner.
39' Cruz and Martins combine on the edge of the Lecce penalty area but so far there's no way through.
38' At the other end Obafemi Martins races on goal and forces Poleksic to make two saves.
38' From a position inside our box, Cassetti heads wide.
37' Cordoba commits a foul on Konan. Free kick to Lecce on the left wing.
35' On the left wing Pasquale intercepts Cassetti's pass then plays to Emre. The Turk comes forward on the counter-attack.
34' Obafemi Martins plays a one-two with Bobo Vieri then sends a ferocious shot over the bar.
33' From 20 yards Cassetti shoots wide.
33' Cannavaro fouls Chevanton in midfield. Rodomonti blows for a free kick.
30' Emre Belozoglu's effort is punched clear by Poleksic.
30' Free kick to Inter to the right of the Lecce box after our captain is bundled off the ball.
29' Inter put together a string of passes as Farinos, Emre, Pasquale and Cruz combine on the left wing.
28' Cruz gives the ball away in the Lecce half and Ledesma comes forward. He is stopped in his tracks by an advanced Inter defence.
26' Toldo makes another save from Chevanton, who is causing the Nerazzurri defence a few problems this afternoon.
26' Bovo's shot is tipped round for a corner by Francesco Toldo.
26' Another free kick to Lecce. This time it's eight yards outside our box.
25' Rodomonti spots a Vieri foul on Stovini. Free kick to the visitors.
24' Bobo receives inside the Lecce penalty area and is immediately surrounded by four Giallorossi players. Niente da fare...
23' Lecce win a free kick 25 yards out. Chevanton curls it well over the crossbar and almost into the Curva Nord.
22' Cruz meets Emre's left-wing corner and heads on target. Poleksic saves.
21' Farinos plays a high ball into the Lecce box. Oba Martins receives but can't get a shot in from a tight angle.
19' Lecce keeper Poleksic collects Pasquale's left-wing free kick played into the six-yard box.
18' Ledesma's shot from the distance swerves wide of Toldo's left-hand post.
15' Toldo punches clear from Chevanton's free kick. Moments later the South American fires inches wide from close range.
15' Free kick to Lecce 30 yards out after Farinos brings down Cassetti.
13' Toldo makes a great save from Chevanton as Lecce pile on the pressure.
12' Lecce close to a second. Konan fires just wide of the far post with a low, diagonal shot.
10' Lecce defender Abruzzese requires attention to a knock to his head after a challenge with Martins.
10' Cruz heads Emre's pass on for Vieri. Stovini clears.
9' Cannavaro and Farinos lose the ball in midfield. Chevanton comes forward and Cordoba makes a crucial tackle to deny the Giallorossi.
8' Corner to us as Martins' right-wing cross comes off Siviglia.
8' Oba plays a one-two with Bobo but is beaten to the return pass by an opponent.
5' Julio Cruz's free kick goes over at the far post.
4' Oba Martins takes on Bovo then shoots on target. The shot is weak but Rodomonti spots a foul on the Nigerian five yards outside the box.
3' 1-0 to Lecce. Unmarked in the box, Bovo heads the right-wing corner into the roof of the net.
3' Cannavaro mis-kicks a back pass to Toldo and Lecce win a corner.
2' Vieri tries to flick Pasquale's deep left-wing cross on to Oba Martins, but the Nigerian striker is anticipated in the Lecce box.
1' Welcome to the San Siro for the Nerazzurri's first match of the new year. Rodomonti blows his whistle and Lecce kick off.
1' Inter win a free kick after Javier Zanetti is obstructed by Rullo on the right wing.
Minute Text commentary
48' Full time. Inter 3-1 Lecce.
45' 3 minutes of added time to play.
45' Bobo volleys wide of Poleksic's right-hand post.
43' Zac brings on Recoba for Martins.
42' Farinos and Chevanton are both cautioned by Rodomonti.
40' BOBO ONE HUNDRED!!!!!!!!! Vieri celebrates a century of Nerazzurri goals with a shot into an open goal after evading a challenge from Lecce keeper Poleksic. 3-1.
39' Thomas Helveg replaces the defender who celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday.
38' Pasquale is stretchered off with cramp.
37' Vieri sends a first-time shot with the inside of his left foot wide of an open goal.
36' The visitors make their second switch: Diarra on, Rullo off.
34' Oba Martins is through on goal after a beautiful pass from Christian Vieri. But Poleksic comes off his line to block the Nigerian's effort.
32' Lecce substitution: Bojinov replaces Konan.
31' Through on goal with just Poleksic to beat, Oba Martins is caught marginally offside.
28' From Emre's left-wing corner kick Martins heads wide.
27' Giovanni Pasquale plays a dangerous left-wing cross into the Lecce six-yard box. Stovini beats Vieri to the ball and gives away a corner.
27' Toldo catches Konan's diagonal shot from the left wing.
26' In space to the right of the Nerazzurri goal, Chevanton blasts wide.
26' Stovini beats Martins to Vieri's headed pass.
25' Inter substitution: Lamouchi replaces Cruz.
24' The Uruguayan's effort from the free kick comes off the Inter wall.
23' Chevanton dances past three black and blue shirts but not Farinos. Rodomonti awards Lecce a free kick just outside our area.
21' Martins is put through by Vieri, but the flag goes up for offside.
20' Inter on the attack. Bobo flicks the ball on for Martins, who is anticipated.
15' IVAN RAMIRO CORDOBA!!!!!!!! At the near post the Colombian defender heads Emre's right-wing corner in at the far post.
13' Superb move by our three strikers. Cruz plays forward to Martins, who chests the ball down for Vieri. With the outside of his left foot Bobo fires just over.
12' Chevanton is caught offside as he attempts to flick the ball over Toldo.
11' Javier Zanetti brings the ball out of defence then plays to Julio Cruz on the right wing. The ball goes out for a Lecce throw-in.
9' Cruz, Vieri and Martins combine as Inter look for a second goal.
8' Another scare for Inter. Konan plays a left-wing cross across the face of the Nerazzurri six-yard box. At the far post Chevanton fails to prod home.
7' From outside our box Cassetti sends a low shot not far wide of Toldo's right-hand post.
5' We're back in the game!!!!! Julio Cruz curls the ball round the Giallorossi wall and in at the near post. It's his sixth goal for Inter.
5' Martins takes on an opponent then is tripped by Ledesma. Free kick.
4' Poleksic catches Emre's corner kick played to the far post.
3' Bobo receives from Emre and takes the ball to the left-wing by-line. His cross comes off Stovini. Corner to us.
3' Martins battles with Abruzzese on the right-wing by-line. Lecce win a goal kick.
2' Vieri picks up the ball on the edge of the Lecce box. He turns and is immediately intercepted.
1' Vieri and Martins get the second half underway.
1' Siviglia's free kick from just inside our half goes straight into the hands of Toldo.
Recoba
6.69
6.69
Vieri
8.05
8.05
Zanetti
7.44
7.44
Cordoba
7.73
7.73
Farinos
6.29
6.29
Emre
7.47
7.47
Toldo
7.37
7.37
Pasquale
6.17
6.17
Adani
6.34
6.34
Cannavaro
6.02
6.02
Martins
7.22
7.22
Lamouchi
6.32
6.32
Helveg
6.29
6.29
Cruz
8.18
8.18
Average rating 6.97
8 shots on target 6
6 shots off target 12
20 fouls committed 16
8 corners 4
3 offsides 4
25:27 ball possession 23:30
Zaccheroni v Rossi

Tuesday's match is the sixth meeting in competitive fixtures between the two coaches. Zac has the edge with 3 victories to 1, with the other match ending in a draw. The current Inter coach has never lost in games played at home (2 wins and a draw).

In detail:

1994/95 Serie B Cosenza-Salernitana 0-0 2-5
1998/99 Serie A AC Milan-Salernitana 3-2 2-1
2001/02 Serie A Lazio-Lecce 1-0 ----

Zaccheroni v Lecce

Alberto Zaccheroni has faced Lecce on 12 occasions, with 7 victories to his credit, 3 draws and 2 defeats. He is unbeaten in his last ten matches against the Giallorossi (7 wins and 3 draws). Lecce's last victory against a team coached by Zac was on 20 December 1992 when Venezia were beaten 1-0 in Puglia.

In detail:

1991/92 Serie B Venezia-Lecce ---- 0-1
1992/93 Serie B Venezia-Lecce 1-1 0-1
1994/95 Serie B Cosenza-Lecce 2-1 2-1
1997/98 Serie A Udinese-Lecce 6-0 2-1
1999/00 Serie A AC Milan-Lecce 2-2 2-2
2000/01 Serie A AC Milan-Lecce 4-1 ----
2001/02 Serie A Lazio-Lecce 1-0 2-1

Rossi v Inter

Delio Rossi faces Inter for the third time. The previous two encounters both finished 2-1 in favour of the Nerazzurri.

In detail:

1998/99 Serie A Salernitana-Inter ---- 1-2
2001/02 Serie A Lecce-Inter 1-2 ----

Cruz: 100 Serie A appearances

If he plays against Lecce, Julio Ricardo Cruz will celebrate 100 appearances in the Serie A championship. The Argentine forward made his Italian debut in Roma 2-0 Bologna on 1 October 2003, and since then has scored 32 goals in matches for the Rossoblu and Inter.

Vieri one goal away from century

Christian Vieri's strike against Lazio before Christmas brings his total for the Nerazzurri to 99. Divided among the various competitions, Bobogol has netted 85 times for Inter in the Serie A, 5 in the Coppa Italia, 5 in the Champions League and 4 in the Uefa Cup.

Recoba up against favourite target

Uruguayan forward Alvaro Recoba has scored 62 goals in official matches in Italy, with Lecce his favourite target. El Chino has netted 6 times in matches against the Apulian side: 1 in the 1999/00 Serie A, 1 in the 2000/01 Coppa Italia, 2 in the 2000/01 Serie A and 2 in the 2001/02 championship.

Inter and first matches of new years

The Nerazzurri are unbeaten in their first matches of solar years since the turn of the 21st century, In 2000 Inter beat Perugia 5-0, then drew 2- 2 with AC Milan a year later. Inter drew 0-0 with Lazio in 2002 and last season beat Modena 2-0. All four matches were played at the San Siro.

Chevanton fourth all time scorer for Lecce

Ernesto Javier Chevanton is Lecce's top scorer of the 2003/04 season with 7 goals to his credit. The Uruguayan striker, who has scored a total of 18 goals in the Italian top flight, is Lecce's fourth top scorer of all time in the Serie A behind Pasculli (29), Lucarelli (27) and Vugrinec (19).

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(17) draws(0) defeats(1)
MILAN - Inter came back from a goal behind to beat Lecce 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon and make it a winning start to 2004. Second-half goals from Cruz, Cordoba and Vieri - his 100th in black and blue - cancelled out Bovo's 3rd-minute opener which had Zaccheroni's men struggling to find an identity throughout the first period.

With Chevanton a constant peril to the Nerazzurri back line and too much space between midfield and attack, it was a frustrating opening forty-five minutes at the San Siro.

But Inter came out for the second half with greater self-belief and were soon back in the game when a majestic free kick from Julio Cruz on 50 minutes went round the Lecce wall and in off Poleksic's left-hand post. Ivan Ramiro Cordoba gave Inter the lead on 60 minutes with a header in at the far post from Emre's right-wing corner.

The Nerazzurri were rarely troubled after the Colombian defender's effort and the Meazza roared five minutes from time when Vieri made Inter history. After rounding an onrushing Poleksic, Bobo slotted into an open net to make it a century of goals for the club and scupper any chances of a Lecce comeback.

Match facts:

INTER 3-1 LECCE (ht: 0-1)

Scorers: Bovo 3', Cruz 50', Cordoba 60', Vieri 85'

INTER: Toldo; Cordoba, Adani, Cannavaro; J. Zanetti, Farinos, Emre, Pasquale (Helveg 84'); Cruz (Lamouchi 70'), Vieri, Martins (Recoba 88')
Subs not used: Fontana, van der Meyde, Kily Gonzalez, Gamarra
Coach: Zaccheroni

LECCE: Poleksic; Siviglia, Bovo, Stovini, Abruzzese; Tonetto, Cassetti, Ledesma, Rullo (Diarra 81'); Konan (Bojinov 77'), Chavanton
Subs not used: Amelia, Billy, Giacomazzi, Silvestri, Testa
Coach: Rossi

Referee: Rodomonti

Booked: Emre 44', Farinos 87', Chevanton 87'

starting lineups

Toldo 1 Poleksic
Cordoba 2 Bovo
Zanetti 4 Tonetto
Emre 5 Chevanton
Cruz 9 Siviglia
Farinos 14 Stovini
Adani 15 Ledesma
Cannavaro 17 Konan
Pasquale 26 Rullo
Martins 30 Cassetti
Vieri 32 Abruzzese

substitutes

Fontana 12 Amelia
Van Der Meyde 7 Billy
Lamouchi 8 Bojinov
Helveg 13 Giacomazzi
Kily Gonzalez 18 Silvestri
Recoba 20 Testa
Gamarra 24 Diarra