Inter regain their winning ways in Serie A

Inter, who made their Serie A debut a week ago with a draw against Genoa, got back to winning ways this Saturday against Lecce (2-0), a match in which they once again displayed the version of the team that won the Italian football championship last season to send a warning to sailors in the domestic championship.

Just after Milan’s defeat, and after the first crisis for the Rossoneri following their defeat against Parma, Inter dealt another blow to their Milanese rivals with an authoritative, incontestable victory against a Lecce side that had no chance against the champions, who were welcomed with honours in their first match at San Siro, where they won the title just 4 months ago.

And he did so with a new ‘Nerazzurri’ guest in Mehdi Taremi, who played a perfect match replacing the Argentine Lautaro Martínez, who was absent as a precaution after feeling muscle fatigue. The Iranian got on wonderfully with the Frenchman Marcus Thuram, the team’s most in-form player, and could not have left a better impression on his debut.

Instead, it was Mateo Darmian who opened the scoring. An underrated player by many, he is an undisputed starter in Simone Inzaghi’s system, whether as a wing-back or third centre-back. And his projection up front, although not particularly prodigious, is effective. He found a loose ball in the area after a cross from Dimarco that Taremi headed in and put the team on track for victory from the 5th minute.

Key moment

From that moment on, Inter took absolute control, keeping their block and game plan intact. Barella, Calhanoglu and Mhkitaryan dominated the midfield and appeared in very forward positions, constantly moving the defence and creating space. Acerbi and Bastoni led the defence. Dimarco and Darmian generated depth on the wing. And up front, in the absence of Lautaro, Thuram ruled.

The Frenchman was the creator of the final 2-0 with a cross from Barella to the far post. He was held back from finishing and, therefore, caused the penalty that Hakan Calhanoglu converted in the 70th minute to settle a duel without mystery.

The Turkish midfielder deserves a separate chapter from the eleven meters. He has accumulated 17 consecutive without failing in Serie A. He has scored all of them since he started wearing the Milan shirt in 2020. A specialist through and through.

Lecce without reaction

There was no reaction from Lecce, who were unable to do any damage to Inter. They came close on a couple of occasions, but the Swiss Yann Sommer, who recently announced his retirement from the national team, cleared up any doubts to keep a clean sheet and regain the winning routine of a champion who is once again a clear favourite for the title.

For the moment, only Thiago Motta’s ‘Juve’ can put him in trouble.

Milan / EFE