Inter Milan seek first win of the season against Lecce in Serie A
Inter Milan face U.S. Lecce on matchday 2 of Serie A, looking for their first victory of the season after a disappointing draw on the opening weekend. The match between Inter Milan and U.S. Lecce kicks off on Saturday 24 August at 19:45 (GMT+1) at San Siro.
Defending champions stumble out of the blocks
Inter Milan's title defence got off to anything but a smooth start last weekend. The Nerazzurri could only manage a 2-2 draw against Genoa on the opening matchday. Simone Inzaghi's side initially had to overturn a deficit, and appeared to be on course for all three points thanks to a brace from Marcus Thuram in the 30th minute and the 82nd minute. However, disaster struck in the dying moments, in the fifth minute of stoppage time. A penalty was awarded and saved, but Junior Messias was on hand to convert the rebound, handing Inter a painful dropped points. That draw leaves the reigning champions sitting seventh in the standings. On Saturday, Inter have the chance to make amends against Lecce.
Inter's dominant head-to-head record against Lecce
The statistics firmly favour the home side. In Serie A history, the Milanese club have won 28 of their 32 meetings with Lecce. Inter have inflicted the most defeats on Lecce and have also scored the most goals against the Salentini, netting 85 in league competition. At home, the dominance is even more striking: seventeen wins from eighteen home fixtures, with twelve clean sheets and just six goals conceded. There are, however, minor causes for concern at Inter. The side has gone without a win in each of their last three league matches. Moreover, Inter have only failed to win either of their opening two league games on three previous occasions since the introduction of the three-points system. Inzaghi is expected to rely on his trusted 3-5-2 formation, with Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram leading the attack. Stefan de Vrij is ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Tajon Buchanan is a doubt for this fixture.
Lecce seeking redemption after heavy defeat
Lecce also endured a nightmare opening matchday. Luca Gotti's side were thrashed 4-0 by Atalanta. Marco Brescianini struck twice, in the 35th and 66th minutes, while Mateo Retegui scored twice on his Serie A debut for Atalanta, in the 45th minute and from the penalty spot in the 57th minute. That defeat sent Lecce to the foot of the table. At San Siro, the Salentini will be hoping to cause an upset in the early stages of the 2024-2025 season, but their current form is worrying. The side have gone six league games without a win and have failed to score in their last four matches — their longest goal drought in over a year. Gotti is expected to set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 system, with Nikola Krstović leading the line. Winger Mohamed Kaba remains sidelined until mid-November due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Related
Source: Sportmonks
Comments
- Be the first to comment.