Inter maintained a 100% start to the new calendar year with an emphatic 4-0 victory against Serie A minnows Lecce on Sunday. A dominant performance at Stadio Via del Mare restored Nerazzurri’s nine-point lead at the table’s summit, bringing them one step closer to a landmark 20th Scudetto.
Despite lacking Marcus Thuram, who picked up a groin injury during a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid in midweek Champions League action, Inter tore Lecce apart. Captain Lautaro Martinez opened a goal fest in Puglia in the 15th minute with a brilliant finish. However, that was the only goal in the first half.
Little did anyone know Inter would add three more goals to the tally following a relatively quiet first half. Davide Frattesi took a rare opportunity to start, doubling the visitors’ lead with a simple tap-in only nine minutes into the second half. It didn’t take long before they grabbed a third.
Frattesi turned from scorer into provider in just two minutes, setting Martinez on a platter with a delightful assist. Alone on the back post, the Argentine netted his 22nd Serie A goal this season, completing his most prolific campaign since joining the club from Racing six years ago.
Stefan de Vrij capped off Inter’s scintillating performance midway through the second half, making it 4-0. While Simone Inzaghi’s men made it ten wins out of ten in 2024, Lecce’s dismal run continues, as they’ve now lost eight of their last ten league outings.
Let’s look at our Inter ratings.
Inter (3-5-2)
Emil Audero – 7
What better way to repay the manager’s trust than keeping a clean sheet in his first Serie A start for Inter? Yann Sommer’s deputy had to make several saves to register a shutout, showing Inzaghi could rely on him when needed.
Yann Bisseck – 7
Back to the starting lineup after a lengthy spell on the fringes, the young center-back delivered a reassuring performance, impressing in aerial duels and keeping his passes clean and sharp.
Stefan de Vrij – 7.5
The Dutchman’s rare goal was a fitting reward for a superb showing as he enjoyed a phenomenal game.
Carlos Augusto – 7
No stranger to playing as a center-back, the Monza loanee showcased his ability to defend deep while taking every opportunity to venture forward alongside Federico Dimarco.
Federico Dimarco – 7.5
Inter’s assist king returned to the board with a delightful ball to set up De Vrij for the visitors’ fourth and looked lively on the left all game.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6.5
Erratic passing and poor decision-making plagued the Armenian’s night, though he almost broke the deadlock with a sumptuous volley from the edge of the box.
Kristjan Asllani – 7.5
Teed up Martinez for the opening goal with a defense-splitting pass through the lines, which bolstered his confidence for the rest of the match.
Davide Frattesi – 8
His blitz at the beginning of the second half put a tricky contest beyond Lecce’s reach as he scored and assisted in two minutes to inspire Inter to another routine domestic success.
Denzel Dumfries – 6.5
Not as active as Dimarco on the opposite flank, the Dutch right-back had several exciting forays into the opposition’s half but couldn’t make the most of it.
Alexis Sanchez – 6.5
Chipped in with a crucial assist for Frattesi but was quiet for the rest of the evening.
Lautaro Martinez – 8
One can argue he’s currently the most lethal forward in Europe’s top-five leagues. Took both chances he had to soak up the limelight as Inter’s most dangerous man.
Substitutes
Nicolo Barella – 6
Davy Klassen – 6
Marko Arnautovic – 5.5
Tajon Buchanan – 6
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro – 5.5
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