Serie A | Inter 2-0 Lecce: Bisseck puts them back on track

Yann Bisseck’s first Inter goal and a sensational Marko Arnautovic back-heel assist for Nicolò Barella...

Dec 23, 2023 - 20:40

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Serie A | Inter 2-0 Lecce: Bisseck puts them back on track

Yann Bisseck’s first Inter goal and a sensational Marko Arnautovic back-heel assist for Nicolò Barella got the better of Lecce.

For the first time in 89 games, Lautaro Martinez was unavailable after picking up a thigh injury during Wednesday’s 2-1 extra time Coppa Italia defeat to Bologna. Federico Dimarco, Juan Cuadrado and Denzel Dumfries were also out, with Alexis Sanchez not at 100 per cent. The Salentini had Joan Gonzalez back from suspension, but missed Pontus Almqvist and Kastriot Dermaku, with coach Roberto D’Aversa sitting out a touchline ban.

There were penalty appeals in the opening 120 seconds when Marcus Thuram rolled across for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but VAR confirmed Wladimiro Falcone had not made contact with the ball or the player.

Valentin Gendrey stung Yann Sommer’s gloves at the near post, while Falcone was alert to deny Marko Arnautovic from six yards on the Mkhitaryan assist.

Falcone was on his toes again to stop Thuram tapping in the Carlos Augusto pass at the near post, then Arnautovic prodded wide when sent through by Nicolò Barella.

Yann Bisseck was unlucky not to break the deadlock on 40 minutes when a cushioned volley on the inside of the right boot on a corner thumped the crossbar.

It was only a warning, as moments later Hakan Calhanoglu’s free kick was flicked into the far bottom corner by Bisseck’s backwards header.

Lecce almost equalised straight away, as Antonino Gallo burst down the left and pulled back from the by-line only for Gabriel Strefezza to balloon over from 12 yards.

There was controversy after the restart when the referee awarded a penalty for Lecce, but he revoked that decision following a VAR on-field review, as the Gendrey shot had struck Carlos Augusto on the back rather than the arm.

Banda tested Sommer from distance, while Mkhitaryan scuffed a promising opportunity wide and Bisseck’s header was pushed over the bar.

Matteo Darmian cut inside from the right to sting Falcone’s gloves, but Francesco Acerbi made a risky tackle in the box on Hamza Rafia and Sommer smothered both a tricky Rafia header and the Mohamed Kaba snapshot.

However, Inter doubled their lead with a fantastic team move, as Barella was sent clear by an inspired Arnautovic back-heel flick to score from point-blank range. The midfielder and his teammates recognised the importance of the assist and all rushed to hug the Austrian.

It got worse for Lecce, as Banda was sent off for dissent. Falcone kept the scoreline down with a sensational double save on Benjamin Pavard sliding in at the back post, then the Kristian Asllani follow-up strike.

He denied Acerbi too moments later on the corner.

Inter 2-0 Lecce

Bisseck 43 (I), Barella 78 (I)

Sent off: Banda 83 (L)