Serie A – Pio Esposito scores as Inter Milan defeat Lecce 1-0.

The 16th round of the 2025/26 Serie A season saw a rescheduled match, with Inter Milan, playing at home at the San Siro, defeating Lecce 1-0 thanks to a goal from Pio Esposito.

Five minutes into the match, Inter Milan launched an attack. Bony received a through pass from his teammate and attempted a sliding shot against the defense, but the ball was saved by Lecce goalkeeper Falcone. In the 15th minute, Bony received a pass back from Zielinski at the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a long-range shot, but the ball went over the goal.

In the 17th minute, Thuram went down in the penalty area while preparing to pass the ball, and the referee judged it to be a dive and showed him a yellow card. In the 24th minute, Bony was tripped in the penalty area while preparing to pass the ball, and the referee initially awarded a penalty, but after VAR intervention, the referee overturned the penalty decision.

In the 34th minute, Bastoni chipped a pass into the penalty area, and Thuram rose to head the ball, but it went over the post. In the 44th minute, Lecce attempted a counter-attack, and Štulic received a pass from his teammate and entered the penalty area to shoot, but the ball hit the side netting.

In the 51st minute of the second half, Inter Milan created an attacking opportunity. Barella received the ball and shot, but it hit the post. Diouf then received a pass back from his teammate and shot, but the ball went wide of the goal.

In the 63rd minute, Augusto was brought down by Danilo Vega while dribbling forward, and the referee showed Vega a yellow card. In the 72nd minute, Lecce launched a counter-attack, and Jameer Sibbert received the ball at close range in the penalty area and shot, but the ball was saved by Inter Milan goalkeeper Sommer.

In the 78th minute, Zielinski chipped a pass into the penalty area, Lautaro Martinez received a pass from Pio Esposito and fired a shot, but it was blocked by Lecce goalkeeper Falcone. Pio Esposito then followed up and scored, giving Inter Milan a 1-0 lead. In the 86th minute, Lecce midfielder Youssef Malih received the ball and shot, but the ball went wide of the goal.

Inter Milan ultimately defeated Lecce 1-0 at home.