Match report

Inter Defeats Lecce 1-0, Secures Crucial Serie A Win

Inter
Inter
1–0
FT
Lecce
Lecce
Jan 14, 2026

Inter secured a vital three points against Lecce, winning 1-0 in a closely fought Serie A match. Despite facing a series of substitutions and a canceled penalty, Inter managed to break through with F. Esposito's goal in the 78th minute, ensuring their victory over the resilient Lecce side.

Key Facts

  • • Inter defeated Lecce by a score of 1-0.
  • • F. Esposito scored the winning goal for Inter in the 78th minute.
  • • Marcus Thuram received a yellow card for simulation in the 17th minute.
  • • A penalty was cancelled against Inter due to VAR intervention at the 26-minute mark.
  • • Luis Henrique also received a yellow card for time wasting late in the game.

Lineups

Inter

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 1 Y. Sommer (G)
  • 25 M. Akanji (D)
  • 15 F. Acerbi (D)
  • 95 A. Bastoni (D)
  • 17 A. Diouf (M)
  • 23 N. Barella (M)
  • 7 P. Zielinski (M)
  • 22 H. Mkhitaryan (M)
  • 30 Carlos Augusto (M)
  • 9 M. Thuram (F)
  • 14 A. Bonny (F)

Substitutes

  • 40 A. Calligaris
  • 60 A. Taho
  • 6 S. de Vrij
  • 8 P. Sucic
  • 10 L. Martinez
  • 11 Luis Henrique
  • 16 D. Frattesi
  • 31 Y. Bisseck
  • 32 F. Dimarco
  • 43 M. Cocchi
  • 36 M. Darmian
  • 45 L. Bovo
  • 94 F. Esposito
  • 44 T. Berenbruch

Lecce

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 30 W. Falcone (G)
  • 17 D. Veiga (D)
  • 5 J. Siebert (D)
  • 44 Tiago Gabriel (D)
  • 25 A. Gallo (D)
  • 29 L. Coulibaly (M)
  • 93 Y. Maleh (M)
  • 50 S. Pierotti (M)
  • 16 O. Gandelman (M)
  • 23 R. Sottil (M)
  • 9 N. Stulic (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 C. Fruchtl
  • 32 J. Samooja
  • 3 C. Ndaba
  • 6 A. Sala
  • 7 Tete Morente
  • 11 K. Ndri
  • 13 M. Perez
  • 14 T. J. Helgason
  • 18 G. Jean
  • 21 C. Kouassi
  • 28 O. Gorter
  • 36 F. Marchwinski
  • 77 M. Kaba
  • 79 O. Ngom

Timeline

  1. Inter
    17' Inter Card · Yellow Card
    Marcus Thuram

    Simulation

  2. Inter
    26' Inter Var · Penalty cancelled
    A. Bonny
  3. Inter
    56' Inter subst · Substitution 1
    Off: N. Barella · On: D. Frattesi
  4. Inter
    56' Inter subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Bonny · On: F. Esposito
  5. Inter
    57' Inter subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Diouf · On: Luis Henrique
  6. Lecce
    63' Lecce Card · Yellow Card
    Danilo Veiga

    Foul

  7. Lecce
    69' Lecce subst · Substitution 1
    Off: R. Sottil · On: Tete Morente
  8. Lecce
    69' Lecce subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Gandelman · On: M. Kaba
  9. Inter
    72' Inter subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Henrikh Mkhitaryan · On: L. Martinez
  10. Inter
    78' Inter Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Esposito
  11. Lecce
    82' Lecce subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Pierotti · On: K. Ndri
  12. Lecce
    86' Lecce subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Y. Maleh · On: A. Sala
  13. Inter
    87' Inter subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Marcus Thuram · On: P. Sucic
  14. Inter
    90'+3 Inter Card · Yellow Card
    Luis Henrique

    Time wasting

Match Stats

Stat Inter Lecce
Fouls 11 14
Pass Accuracy 85% 64%
Offsides 3 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 21 10
Corners 11 3
Total Passes 516 253
Yellow Cards 2 1
Blocked Shots 5 7
Shots on Target 7 1
xG 1.83 0.48
Shots off Target 9 2
Possession 68% 32%
Goals Prevented 1 1
Accurate Passes 439 162
Shots Inside Box 13 6
Saves 1 6
Shots Outside Box 8 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The cancellation of Inter's potential penalty in the early stages (26th minute) disrupted their momentum temporarily but did not deter them.
  • ▸ F. Esposito's goal at 78 minutes was a crucial turning point, providing Inter with the lead they needed to secure the victory against Lecce.