Inter Milan dominates Lecce with a 4-0 victory, closing the gap on Serie A leaders Napoli, with goals from Frattesi, Martinez, Dumfries, and Taremi.
Inter Milan secured a comprehensive 4-0 victory against Lecce, maintaining their pursuit of Serie A leaders Napoli. The match, held on Sunday, saw Inter deliver a dominant performance, further solidifying their position as a strong title contender.
The win places Inter second in the league standings with 50 points, trailing Napoli by three points but with a game in hand. Lecce, on the other hand, are struggling near the bottom of the table, currently sitting fourth from the bottom with 20 points.
Inter started the match aggressively, determined to close the gap with Napoli. Their early pressure paid off when Davide Frattesi opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Marcus Thuram displayed excellent footwork, evading a defender before passing to Frattesi, who volleyed the ball into the net.
Despite having two goals disallowed for offside in quick succession, Inter continued their attack. Manager Simone Inzaghi’s frustration was evident when he received a yellow card for stepping outside his technical area while expressing his displeasure.
Lautaro Martinez extended Inter’s lead to 2-0 with a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box, finding the top corner. Inter’s dominance continued into the second half as Denzel Dumfries made it 3-0, slotting the ball into the far bottom corner after battling his way into a tight position near the goal.
Lecce’s woes deepened when their goalkeeper, Wladimiro Falcone, tripped Frattesi, resulting in a penalty. Mehdi Taremi converted the penalty, marking his first Serie A goal and sealing a 4-0 victory for Inter.
With the game secured, Inzaghi made several substitutions, taking off key players. Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer ensured his team’s clean sheet by saving a long-range effort from Ylber Ramadani.
This win was Inter’s seventh in eight league matches, and an eighth consecutive away win. Inter have not conceded a goal on the road in Italy’s top flight since their first win in this run against Udinese. The team’s aggressive approach and tactical execution highlighted their form. The victory was even more impressive considering Inter’s midweek match in Prague and the short turnaround time.
Inter is also four points ahead of third-placed Atalanta, with a game in hand on both rivals. Inter’s performance sets them up for a crucial week, with a Champions League match against Monaco and a derby clash with AC Milan on the horizon.
In summary, Inter’s emphatic win against Lecce was a display of their title credentials, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive stability. Key contributions from Frattesi, Martinez, Dumfries, and Taremi secured a comfortable victory and kept the pressure on league leaders Napoli.
Sources: https://www.espn.in/football/report/_/gameId/712330
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/serie-a-2024-25-inter-beats-lecce-4-0-int-vs-lec-highlights-calcio-latest-updates-italian-football/article69144514.ece
https://theprint.in/sport/soccer-inter-sweep-lecce-aside-to-keep-pace-at-the-top/2464554/