Inter move six points clear at the top of Serie A after a tight 1-0 home win over Lecce, decided by substitute Francesco Pio Esposito. The 20-year-old strikes with 12 minutes left, punishing Lecce after Wladimiro
Falcone’s earlier saves keep the visitors level.
The result extends Inter’s strong position before second-place AC Milan play on Thursday, increasing pressure in the title race. Cristian Chivu’s side collect three important points at San Siro, while Lecce leave without a goal or reward despite several promising moments.
Esposito changes the game after coming off the bench. First, Falcone tips a close-range header wide from a Luis Henrique cross in the 77th minute. Less than a minute later, Lautaro Martinez’s shot is pushed out and Esposito reacts quickest to finish the rebound.
Inter create earlier openings but struggle to convert. Marcus Thuram threatens with two headers, one in each half, yet both efforts miss the target. At the other end, Yann Sommer is forced into action, clawing away a Jamil Siebert header to preserve the clean sheet.
Lecce threaten first when Ange-Yoan Bonny drives low towards the near post, forcing Falcone into a save. Inter think they have a penalty in the 27th minute after Danilo Veiga’s challenge on Bonny, but the referee cancels the decision following a VAR review.
2+2 - Only Sad El Mala (4G+2A2006) is younger than Francesco Pio #Esposito among players with more than one goal scored and more than one assist provided as a substitute in the Big-5 European Leagues 2025-26 (2G+2A2005). Quick.#InterLecce pic.twitter.com/cEqM4MD4DrOptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) January 14, 2026
Opta highlight Esposito’s influence from the bench this season. Only 2006-born Said El Mala, with four goals and two assists, is younger among substitutes in the big five European leagues who record at least two goals and two assists, matching Esposito’s 2005-born output.
Inter’s win also extends a dominant Serie A run against Lecce. The Nerazzurri record a seventh straight league victory over this opponent for the second time, after a similar sequence between 1991 and 1999. Lecce lose every top-flight away match to Inter in this stretch without scoring.
Chivu’s team reach 15 wins from 20 Serie A fixtures in the current three-points-per-win era, something achieved only five times by Inter. The latest success, secured late by Esposito, strengthens their championship credentials while underlining Lecce’s struggles in high-pressure away games.
