Inter Milan extended their stellar away form with an 8th consecutive victory in Serie A, securing all three points against Lecce. This victory was significant, especially given the fact that it came right after a tough trip to Prague in the Champions League, showing the strength and resilience of Inzaghi’s men.
Inzaghi’s Tactical Masterclass
Inter Milan’s coach Simone Inzaghi was quick to praise his team’s performance, despite the demanding schedule.
“We prepared for the match exceptionally well, even though it wasn’t easy. We returned at dawn after the Prague game on Wednesday, had just two days to recover, and then traveled here,” Inzaghi said. “But in those two days, we managed to plan an aggressive strategy, and the players executed it exactly as I had instructed.”
Inter Milan’s tactical approach paid off as they dominated Lecce, continuing their unbeaten run on the road in Serie A.
Frattesi’s Early Goal & Martinez’s Dominance
The match saw Inter take control early on with a sixth-minute tap-in from Davide Frattesi, following a brilliant assist from Marcus Thuram. Lautaro Martínez further solidified his importance with a clinical finish six minutes before halftime, his sixth goal in just eight matches.
“Frattesi’s early goal settled us down, and Lautaro’s finish was a sign of his growing confidence,” Inzaghi remarked.
Taremi Adds to Inter’s Impressive Performance
The match ended with a 4-0 victory, capped off by Taremi’s first Serie A goal from the penalty spot, after Lecce’s goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone fouled Frattesi in the box. Inter had an additional two goals ruled out due to tight offsides, but they never looked threatened throughout the match.
AC Milan’s Dramatic Stoppage Time Comeback
In the other match of the weekend, AC Milan produced a dramatic 3-2 win against Parma. Trailing 2-1 in stoppage time, Milan managed to turn the match around thanks to two quick goals from Tijjani Reijnders and Samuel Chukwueze.
“The fans were understandably frustrated, but we managed to turn things around in the end. It was a deeply emotional victory,” said Milan coach Sergio Conceicao after the match.
The victory was significant for Milan, who had been under pressure after a dismal first half. But the late drama and goals helped lift their spirits as they head into crucial matches, including a Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb and the derby against Inter Milan next weekend.
Tensions and Drama at Milan
Despite the victory, there was internal tension within the Milan camp, particularly between coach Conceicao and deposed captain Davide Calabria. Conceicao later commented:
“When your kids start misbehaving, it’s essential to take control and guide them back on track.”
The rift seemed to stem from Calabria’s discontent after losing the captaincy to goalkeeper Mike Maignan earlier in the month.
Fiorentina’s Push for Champions League Spots
Fiorentina also continued their push for a top-four finish, defeating Lazio 2-1 in a hard-fought match. After a disappointing stretch of six winless matches, the Tuscan side bounced back with a solid victory, with early goals from Yacine Adli and Lucas Beltran.
“It was a crucial win for us, and we needed this to stay in the Champions League race,” said Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino.
Parma’s Missed Opportunity
Parma played admirably but ultimately came away with nothing in their 3-2 loss to Milan. Their solid performance left them with little to show for it as they continue to battle against relegation.
Key Players to Watch:
- Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan) – His brilliant footwork and assists were crucial to Inter’s success.
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan) – Another goal to his tally, demonstrating his importance to the team.
- Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan) – His stoppage-time goal sparked Milan’s dramatic comeback.
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan) – A key contributor with his last-minute goal.
Looking Ahead:
Both Milan clubs are gearing up for important fixtures. Inter will look to maintain their momentum in Serie A and the Champions League, while Milan needs to stabilize their squad dynamics and build on their late win. Meanwhile, Fiorentina’s win was crucial, as they look to break into the top four. Parma, despite their spirited display, must improve to avoid relegation.
