Inter extends its lead at the top of the table, taking advantage of Napoli‘s misstep at home against Parma, but above all by winning a match that was anything but a given against Lecce. The Nerazzurri were led by a superb Pio Esposito, who scored the goal that secured the three points and brought great optimism for the second half of the season. As usual, here are ‘Five things we learned from Inter-Lecce 1-0.’

1) These are the victories that you remember in the end-of-year highlights. Napoli was stopped by Parma, Inter took advantage and landed a crucial blow, which gives even more value to last Sunday’s draw. While waiting for Como-Milan tonight, Inter flies to +6 over the chasers and closes the first half of the season with 45 points. An incredible pace, especially considering that the direct clashes have not always been won. This team is building its lead on consistency.

2) It was not a spectacular match, quite the opposite. Inter was slow in the first half, not very cohesive, with rotations that did not always work and the absence of Calhanoglu was definitely felt. Lecce was organized, proud, well set up on the field. But the technical gap is too big, and in the end Inter breaks through anyway. This is what strong teams do: they win even when they’re not at their best.

3) Pio Esposito decides it, and it’s never a coincidence. Beyond the goal, there’s something that always stands out: he never gets the approach wrong. He comes in hungry, aggressive, eager to make an impact. And in a team fighting for the title, that’s not a detail: it’s a huge quality. Well done, Pio, really.

4) We repeat it every match, because it’s the truth: even if Dumfries can come back a bit earlier, it doesn’t change the picture. This Inter needs another winger. One more solution. Diouf on the right is not in his natural role and it shows. When you take a long trip, you need to top up the tank. Here, we’re running on empty.

5) Now pay attention: the next match in Udine is the toughest away game among those of the title rivals. Tough pitch, physical team, complicated atmosphere. But it’s better to go there like this: first, with a margin, with confidence. And this is despite some still saying that Napoli came out as the ‘moral winner’ from San Siro. The standings, however, tell a different story.