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4 vs 1
Played
December 21, 2011 2:45 PM EST
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — Milano
Referee:‬ M. Guida‎
Attendance:‬ 39602‎
 
Top of the Match
Yuto  Nagatomo
Yuto Nagatomo
Inter
Ricardo Gabriel Álvarez
Ricardo Gabriel Álvarez
Inter
Flop of the Match
Davide Brivio
Davide Brivio
Lecce
Guillermo Gonzalo Giacomazzi
Guillermo Gonzalo Giacomazzi
Lecce

Inter 4-1 Lecce: Nerazzurri recover from early setback to record confident victory

The visitors took an early lead but from there the hosts dominated the game and completed a fantastic comeback with a flurry of second half goals.

By Adam Wheeler

Claudio Ranieri - Inter (Getty Images)
Getty Images
Inter defeated Lecce 4-1 at San Siro in Wednesday nights Serie A encounter. The home side dominated the match from the first minute but found itself behind to an 18th minute Luis Muriel strike, the Nerazzurri then missed a plethora of chances before Giampaolo Pazzini equalized with a well taken header 10 minutes before halftime.

The second half began with Inter bringing on Diego Militio and Esteban Cambiasso and it wasn't long before both of the substitutes were on the scoresheet as Inter cruised to a 3-1 lead. Then, to put the icing on the cake. Ricardo Alvarez made it four with 10 minutes to go.

Inter began the match at a relaxed pace, seemingly intent on controlling possession. However, in the seventh minute, Thiago Motta registered the first attempt of the game, but the former Genoa midfielder’s long range strike flew harmlessly over the bar.
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Just before the 20 minute mark, and against the run of play the visitors took a surprise lead through a fantastic strike from Muriel. The Columbian forward raced onto a superb ball from Christian Obodo before cutting back past both Lucio and Maicon, and drilling home from the center of the area.

Minutes later and Claudio Ranieri’s men almost pulled level, when Diego Forlan found himself in space on the edge of the area before unleashing a powerful drive, but the Uruguay internationals effort was denied by a great save from Ugo Gabrieli.

Then with just under half an hour gone, the home side was denied again. Maicon raced down the right flank before curling in a wonderful cross for Giampaolo Pazzini. The former Sampdoria striker’s powerful header crashed of the crossbar.

With 33 minutes gone Inter finally got the equalizer through the lively Pazzini. Another great cross from Maicon was met by the Italy international, whose well placed header sailed past Gabrieli into the bottom corner.

The second half began with the home side still controlling the game, and in the 49th minute it took the lead through substitute Milito. After receiving a fantastic through ball from Ricardo Alvarez, the Argentina international’s first time strike left Gabrieli with no chance and put Inter into the driving seat.

Inter made it three through substitute Cambiasso. After a great run and subsequent pass from Yuto Nagatomo, the former Real Madrid midfielder was left with a simple finish to ease the pressure on his side.

In the 80th minute the home side killed the game off through a neat finish from Alvarez. Nagatomo was again the provider as he produced an inch perfect cross for the former Velez Sarsfield playmker to side foot past Gabrieli for his first goal in Serie A.

This result sees Inter secure its fourth straight victory in Serie A in the final clash before the winter break. Inter will now return to action at home to Parma on Jan. 7, while Lecce welcomes Juventus the following day.

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Inter

1
Julio César
Goalkeeper
3.0
55
Yuto Nagatomo
Defender
73′ 81′
3.5
25
3.0
6
Lucio
Defender
3.0
13
Maicon
Midfielder
34′ 86′
3.5
11
3.5
8
Thiago Motta
Midfielder
3.0
4
3.0
37
Marco Faraoni
Striker
46′
3.0
9
3.0
7
3.5

Lecce

3.0
1
Ugo Gabrieli
Goalkeeper
2.5
19
2.5
40
Nenad Tomovic
Defender
2.5
30
Massimo Oddo
Defender
2.0
28
Davide Brivio
Midfielder
2.5
10
Ruben Olivera
Midfielder
46′
2.5
8
Christian Obodo
Midfielder
20′ 30′ 75′
2.5
18
3.0
17
3.0
24
L. Muriel
Striker
20′ 54′

Substitutes

12
Luca Castellazzi
Goalkeeper
-
2
-
19
3.0
20
Obi
Midfielder
71′
3.0
-
Coutinho
Striker
-
30
-
22
3.0

Substitutes

-
-
3.0
22
Ignacio Piatti
Midfielder
46′
-
21
-
-
Bryan Bergougnoux
Midfielder
-
77
Christian Pasquato
Midfielder
75′ 87′
2.5
9
-
50
Luigi Turbacci
Goalkeeper

Coach/Manager

-
-

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Striker
Milan
28 10
Diego Alberto Milito Diego Alberto Milito
Striker
Inter
24 8
Antonio Di Natale Antonio Di Natale
Striker
Udinese
23 4
Edinson  Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli
23 3
R. Palacio R. Palacio
Striker
Genoa
19 3