Esposito shines! Inter beat Lecce 1 - 0

A goal from Pio Esposito in the 78th minute gave Inter the win in the rescheduled fixture of matchday 16 against Lecce. A very tough game, with the visitors focused on defending and staying organised, forcing Inter to try everything to break the deadlock. Chivu brought on Lautaro, and Esposito for Thuram and it's Pio who in the 78', slotted the rebound home, after Falcone parried Lautaro's attempt.

After this win, Inter climb to 46 points having played 20 games, six points clear of AC Milan (who will play on Thursday) and Napoli (who drew to Parma). The Nerazzurri are back in action on Saturday, against Udinese away.

INTER 1-0 LECCE | SUMMARY

Goal: 78' Esposito (I)

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 25 Akanji, 15 Acerbi, 95 Bastoni; 17 Diouf (11 Luis Henrique 57'), 23 Barella (16 Frattesi 57'), 7 Zielinski, 22 Mkhitaryan (10 Lautaro 72'), 30 Carlos Augusto; 14 Bonny (94 Esposito 57'), 9 Thuram (8 Sucic 87'). Substitutes: 40 Calligraris, 60 Taho, 6 De Vrij, 31 Bisseck, 32 Dimarco, 36 Darmian, 43 Cocchi, 44 Berenbruch, 45 Bovo. Head Coach: Cristian Chivu.

LECCE (4-2-3-1): 30 Falcone; 17 Veiga, 5 Siebert, 44 Tiago Gabriel, 25 Gallo; 29 Coulibaly, 93 Maleh (6 Sala 86'); 50 Pierotti (11 N'Dri 82'), 16 Gandelman (77 Kaba 69'), 23 Sottil (7 Tete Morente 69'); 9 Stulic. Substitutes: 1 Fruchtl, 32 Samooja, 3 Ndaba, 6 Sala, 11 N'Dri, 13 Perez, 14 Helgason, 18 Jean, 21 Kouassi, 28 Gorter, 36 Marchwiński, 79 Ngom. Head Coach: Eusebio Di Francesco.

Yellow cards: Thuram (I), Veiga (L), Luis Henrique (I) Added time: 4', 4'

Referee: Maresca. Assistants: Passeri - Di Gioia. Fourth official: Manganiello. VAR: Maggioni. Assistant VAR: Chiffi.

SUSPENDED Inter: - Lecce: Banda, Gaspar, Ramadani CAUTIONED Inter: Calhanoglu Lecce: -