Inter Milano vs US Lecce – 05/03/2023
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Inter Milan are trying to hold onto a place in Serie A’s top four. However, the Nerazzurri’s inconsistency in the league is playing havoc with their attempts to finish in the Champions League qualification places.
Simone Inzaghi’s team lost 1-0 to Bologna last weekend and are only three points ahead of fifth-place Roma in the race for Champions League qualification. On Sunday, Inter will welcome 15th-place Lecce to the San Siro for a must-win game.
Lecce are also coming off a Serie A defeat. The Giallorossi lost 1-0 at Sassuolo last time out. The defeat ended a three-game unbeaten streak for Lecce in Serie A.
Inter won the reverse fixture against Lecce 2-1 in August. Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring in the second minute, but Lecce’s Assan Ceesay levelled the score just after halftime. Inter won dramatically in the fourth minute of stoppage-time thanks to a Denzel Dumfries goal.
The Nerazzurri took 10 points from the last 18 points on offer in the league. However, Inter struggled to score goals with just six scored in the last six matches. Inter play well at the San Siro where they have a record of 10W-0D-2L this season.
Lecce picked up seven points from the last six matches. They also struggled to score during that time, bagging a mere six goals.
The Giallorossi play well away from home and are on a two-match win streak on their travels. Lecce should make this a difficult game for Inter.
Coach Marco Baroni will be without defender Federico Baschirotto due to a suspension. Forward Lameck Banda has a muscle injury and is a major doubt.
In addition, Baroni could be without defenders Kastriot Dermaku and Marin Pongracic due to their respective leg injuries.
Inzaghi may be without defenders Federico Dimarco and Milan Skriniar. Both are suffering from physical discomfort. Midfielder Joaquin Correa is a doubt as well following a thigh injury.
Lautaro Martinez is Inter’s leading goalscorer in Serie A with 13 strikes. He is the team’s only player to register double-digit goals in Serie A for the Nerazzurri. Despite this, Inter have scored the second-most goals in the league this season with 44.
Lecce have scored Serie A’s sixth-lowest total in goals with 24. Lecce’s goalscoring issues should plague them at San Siro, as Inter claim a second straight win at the Giallorossi’s expense. Inter should edge the visitors 2-1 at full-time to remain in second place.
