Inter 1 : 0 Lecce - Inter close on city rivals

Posted Sunday, March 20, 2011 by PA

Internazionale took full advantage of AC Milan's defeat as they defeated Lecce 1-0 to move two points behind the leaders.

Giampaolo Pazzini's match-winner after 52 minutes had a suspicion of handball about it but the hosts just about deserved the three points after an improved second-half display.

The win completed a good week for the Nerazzurri after they also secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a comeback win over Bayern Munich in mid-week.

Milan's 1-0 defeat at Palermo then paved the way for Leonardo's side to make up important ground in their domestic battle with their city rivals.

Lecce arrived at the San Siro sitting just inside the relegation places but looked the stronger of the two sides in the opening period.

After seven minutes Djamel Mesbah showed neat control with his chest before firing wide.

Davide Brivio then made a run down the right and slipped a pass to Daniele Corvia before he lashed a low shot just wide of the right-hand post.

Inter's first chance arrived from a Wesley Sneijder free-kick after 20 minutes but his curled effort missed right.

The hosts were not at their best, though, and Thiago Motta underlined a laboured beginning when he was caught in possession by Andrea Bertolacci who was only denied by a great tackle from Maicon.

Inter then survived another tricky moment when Nenad Tomovic sprung forward on the counter-attack only for his control to let him down at the crucial moment.

After the break Inter showed a far greater intensity with Samuel Eto'o, who had been absent for most of the opening period, firing over, before Maicon was just off target after he tried his luck from long-range.

Lecce goalkeeper Antonio Rosati then made a great save to deny Pazzini after 51 minutes, but Inter's pressure told a minute later.

Goran Pandev showed good vision and skill to pick a pass to Pazzini at the top of the area, and while he may have used an arm to control the ball, there was no doubt about his finish as he turned and fired an unstoppable drive into the top-left corner.

Inter went in search of a second goal with Eto'o shooting wide from 30 yards, before Lecce spurned their first chance of the half when Bertolacci and Corvia got in each other's way.

Lecce almost stole a point late on but Julio Cesar, who made a bad blunder against Bayern, saved his side with a vital block from Bertolacci at close range.