Lecce vs Inter Milan – News and Probable Lineups

After facing a significant blow to their aspirations in Europe, Inter de Milão is set to focus on their Serie A responsibilities this Saturday as they travel to Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare.

Though Inter suffered a setback against Bodo/Glimt recently, they remain the favorites for the Scudetto, having secured six consecutive victories in Italy’s premier league.

Match overview

In a challenging match against sub-zero temperatures and a synthetic pitch, Inter faced Bodo on Wednesday evening, during the first leg of their Champions League playoff.

Despite being the favorites going into the tie, given their experience in reaching the final twice over three seasons, the Nerazzurri now find themselves in jeopardy after a 3-1 defeat, risking their place in the last 16.

Prior to this, they had enjoyed a seven-match winning streak away from home across all competitions, conceding only once; however, the infamous Aspmyra Stadion has proven difficult for them.

Back in Lombardy, their city rivals AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw against Como, meaning that Inter still holds a seven-point advantage over the second-placed Milan in Serie A, keeping their hopes alive for reclaiming the Italian title.

The most recent of their six consecutive league wins came during last week’s Derby d’Italia, where their old rivals Juventus were controversially reduced to ten men, allowing Cristian Chivu’s side to secure victory.

After clinching a thrilling 3-2 win thanks to a last-minute goal from Piotr Zielinski, Inter has triumphed in 12 of their last 13 fixtures in the top flight, including eight straight on the road.

Following a previous 1-0 win over Lecce last month, they are expected to aim for another victory this weekend.

Lecce has not won in their last nine league encounters with Inter, and they are currently on a goal drought against them at the Via del Mare that extends 222 minutes, dating back nearly four years.

This season, finding the net has been a challenge for the Salentini, but they’ve recently managed to score four goals in their last two matches, which has helped keep Eusebio Di Françasco’s side above the relegation zone.

Currently sitting in 17th place with 24 points, they are three points above the drop zone, thanks to a critical win over Cagliari this past Monday evening.

Following Lameck Banda’s late goal that marked their first success of 2026, Lecce has recorded back-to-back league victories for the first time this season.

Midfielders Ylber Ramadani and Omri Gandelman found the back of the net in the second half, helping the Giallorossi secure three crucial points away from Sardinia, distancing themselves from 18th-placed Fiorentina.

With a modest tally of just three wins from 13 home matches, not many would expect Lecce to enhance that record against Inter, particularly with their visitors likely focused on other competitions.

Team News

Chivu will need to evaluate whether to rest key players in anticipation of Bodo/Glimt’s upcoming visit to San Siro, having made some unexpected lineup changes on Wednesday.

One position that will certainly change is in attack, as Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has sustained a calf injury, which means either Marcus Thuram or Ange-Yoan Bonny could take a spot next to Françasco Pio Esposito, who was the only scorer for the Nerazzurri in Norway.

Besides their leading scorer with 14 goals, they will also be without injured wing-back Denzel Dumfries and suspended midfielders Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu.

With the latter two out, Zielinski is expected to start, aiming for his 50th Serie A goal, which would tie him with Arkadiusz Milik as Poland’s all-time top scorer in Italy’s top division.

Returning from suspension, Banda has netted three league goals this season, making him Lecce’s leading scorer; January acquisition Gandelman is right behind, having scored in consecutive matches.

Strikers Walid Cheddira and Nikola Stulic will compete for a place in the starting lineup, while Milan loanee Françasco Camarda and midfielder Medon Berisha remain unavailable.

Lecce probable starting XI:

Falcone; Veiga, Gabriel, Gaspar, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani; Pierotti, Gandelman, Banda; Cheddar

Inter Milan probable starting XI:

Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Sucic, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito

Despite being affected by their recent defeat, Inter is likely to return to their winning ways in Serie A.

After achieving rare consecutive victories, Lecce might face a tough challenge when the league leaders visit.