Serie A leaders Inter pulled themselves clear by ten points from second-placed Milan following a 2-0 victory over Lecce.
The final whistle at the Via Del Mare on Saturday meant a seventh straight league victory for the Nerazzurri, who are now in pole position to lift the Scudetto this season. The three points from this match bring their tally to 64 points from 26 matches this campaign and Cristian Chivu’s men find some breathing space as their closest rivals Milan stay second on the table, yet distant with 54 points.
While the Rossoneri enter into Serie A action on Sunday against Parma, the 1-1 draw with Como midweek took the wind out of their sails. Massimiliano Allegri’s men emerged as potential Scudetto candidates in an earlier part of the season, but dropping points against Genoa, Fiorentina and Roma made Inter grab the opportunity to become league leaders with a cushion.
Chivu’s troops had an uncharacteristic show in the Champions League during the week, when they lost 3-1 in the Arctic Circle against Bodo/Glimt. The second-leg of the two-legged playoff tie will be staged at the San Siro, and a comeback is very much on the cards. However, the defeat did not affect Inter in this outing as second-half goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Manuel Akanji granted them a professional victory.
Lecce fought well with their defence for seventy five minutes, frustrating Inter on numerous occasions but Chivu’s substitutions were on point to make the difference they were sent out for. It is back on the drawing board for the Salentini as they came into this fixture with consecutive victories. As for Inter, they keep marching on towards the title, and it will not be of much concern for them even if Milan cut their lead to seven points tomorrow.
