Reigning Scudetto holders Inter put last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Genoa behind with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Lecce on Saturday night. A one-sided affair at Giuseppe Meazza saw Simone Inzaghi’s team score on either side of halftime to post their first win of 2024/25.
Inter got the game off to a flyer, taking the lead inside the opening five minutes through Matteo Darmian. The Italian right-back found himself in unfamiliar territory but kept his composure to stab home a free header after being left unmarked on the far post. Marquee summer arrival Mehdi Taremi made his first assist in Serie A with his trademark flick.
Hakan Calhanoglu’s strike from the spot midway through the second half killed the game off. Lecce couldn’t recover from a two-goal deficit, allowing the Nerazzurri to steamroll to a routine triumph.
While it wasn’t the most convincing display from Inter, the champions did enough to take three points.
Inter (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – 6
Inter didn’t need his heroics this evening as Lecce couldn’t do anything noteworthy in the final third.
Alessandro Bastoni – 6.5
As he didn’t have much to do at the back, the highly-rated center-back tried to get involved in the build-up play, but his crosses were often wayward.
Francesco Acerbi – 6.5
Apart from some shaky moments midway through the first half, the veteran defender looked relatively comfortable for the rest of the game, largely thanks to Lecce’s below-par attacking performance.
Benjamin Pavard – 6
With Lameck Banda failing to put his defensive credentials to the test, the Frenchman had plenty to go forward, albeit often without much success.
Federico Dimarco – 6.5
His crosses were on the money, with one such leading to Inter’s opening goal. He fared equally well on both ends of the pitch, delivering another reassuring performance.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6
Despite seeing much of the ball, the Armenian couldn’t find that ‘killer’ pass, but his constant movements between the lines helped Inter keep the momentum going.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 7
Last season’s best-scoring Serie A midfielder was at his usual best, dictating the pace with his sharp passing and vision, though he refused to take many risks. He’s too confident from the spot!
Nicolo Barella – 7
Another energetic showing from the Inter vice-captain enabled his side to establish firm control in the middle of the park and dismantle Lecce’s attacking ambitions.
Matteo Darmian – 7.5
He doesn’t score often, but he couldn’t have missed from there. Encouraged by the goal, the ex-Milan starlet excelled throughout the game, holding up his end of the bargain on either side of the pitch.
Marcus Thuram – 6
After a remarkable showing against Genoa, the standout forward was far less involved tonight but could’ve scored early in the second half, only to see Wladimiro Falcone deny him with a superb leg save.
Mehdi Taremi – 7
The only thing missing to complete a dream maiden Serie A start was a goal, but his assist helped Inter open the scoring. Other than that, the Iranian striker displayed impressive technique and composure on the ball.
Substitutes
Carlos Augusto – 6.5
Marko Arnautovic – 5.5
Denzel Dumfries – 6
Davide Frattesi – 6.5
Kristjan Asllani – 6
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