REPORT: Inter 3 - 0 Lecce

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Serie A Week 3 - 17/9/05 (19.30 UK)

Martins 24 (I), Stankovic 29 (I), Cruz 84 (I)


Stadio San Siro

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Julio Cruz netted his fourth goal in three games and Dejan Stankovic ended a 10-month drought as Inter crushed Lecce 3-0.

The Nerazzurri had to get back on track following last week's 3-2 loss at Palermo, while the pressure was really on Lecce boss Angelo Gregucci - Roberto Mancini's former assistant manager at Fiorentina - after fans demanded the return of Zdenek Zeman. Mirko Vucinic was given a starting role, while Mancio did not make many changes despite their midweek Champions League strains.

Within the opening minute Obafemi Martins had taken advantage of a Suleymane Diamoutene error and rolled across for Adriano, whose shot was pushed out by goalkeeper Vincenzo Sicignano.

Adriano then nodded over from a Ze Maria cross, and Martins sprung the offside trap only for Sicignano to charge out and clear off his feet. The young Nigerian also turned a Dejan Stankovic cross over the bar, as he got underneath the ball.

However, on the 19th minute there was a great Lecce opportunity to take the lead. Vucinic poured forward on the counter-attack and Alex Pinardi placed his angled drive wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Inter eventually broke the deadlock when Martins sprung the offside trap on an Esteban Cambiasso through ball and flicked the sphere over Sicignano with the outside of his left foot.

The Nerazzurri doubled their lead soon after, as Stankovic was again forgotten by the Lecce defence at the far post and his scuffed finish rolled into the empty net. It was an important moment for the Serb, who hadn't scored in 10 months.

Mancini's men were extremely unlucky not to grab a third, as Sicignano palmed away a Stankovic effort and Cambiasso struck the upright with his follow-up.

Lecce seemed shell-shocked and Vucinic turned a glancing header wide. It began to rain heavily during the second half and Martins hit the back of the net, but it was disallowed for a push.

The visitors fought back and a fierce Marco Cassetti drive stung Julio Cesar's palms, the Brazilian getting down well to make the save.

Sicignano also had to hit the turf for a one-handed save on Stankovic's piledriver from distance.

Adriano found space down the right flank and placed a low cross in for Martins to slide on to, but Diamoutene's pressure forced the Nigerian to fire wide from two yards.

Martins wasted another golden opportunity soon after, as a free kick was not cleared effectively and he drilled wide on a Cambiasso assist.

The youngster fell under a challenge from Abruzzese when he was clear on goal, but the referee judged it to be a Martins foul first, much to the chagrin of the San Siro crowd.

Moments later, Adriano charged into the box and Diamoutene plucked the ball off his foot with a perfectly-timed intervention.

Mancini introduced Julio Ricardo Cruz and, just as he had done at Palermo, the Argentine hit the back of the net almost immediately. Il Jardinero controlled a Ze Maria cross with his chest and stroked it home from close range. Cruz is Inter's most on form striker at the moment, as he has now scored four goals in three games between Serie A and the Champions League.

It still wasn't over, as Julio Cesar was called into a difficult close-range save on Axel Konan's low volley. At the other end, Sicignano smothered a Cambiasso strike to keep the scoreline down.


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Inter: Julio Cesar; Zè Maria, Cordoba, Materazzi, Favalli; Figo (C Zanetti 77), Cambiasso, Veron, Stankovic; Adriano (Pizarro 86), Martins (Cruz 79)

Lecce: Sicignano; Angelo (Camorani 78), Diamoutene, Stovini, Abruzzese; Cassetti, Ledesma, Del Vecchio, Pinardi (Valdes 67); Vucinic, Konan

Ref: Pieri

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Roberto Mancini has hit back at his critics after Inter’s 3-0 mauling of Lecce and Coach Angelo Gregucci admits his time is running out.

“It’s always too easy for people to criticise from the outside,” said the Nerazzurri boss after the Saturday evening game.


“We started the season very early for the preliminary round of the Champions League and with a team that I couldn’t really change at that point. We’re only three games in and people are already stating David Pizarro can’t play in his preferred role, but people shouldn’t criticise when they don’t know the full situation.”


Inter were pilloried in the Italian Press after their 3-2 defeat at Palermo and middling display against Artmedia in Europe, but dominated the Lecce tie.


“Luis Figo and Dejan Stankovic were playing very wide and giving problems to Lecce’s fullbacks. That way, there was more likelihood Adriano or Obafemi Martins could attack down the centre in a one-on-one situation. Stankovic is doing much better than last season and I hope he can show what he’s capable of.”


The Serb midfielder ended a 10-month goal drought and celebrated this success. “Everyone did well and it was a good performance. I’m happy for the goal and can play in any position the Coach wants me to. The side is gelling and we feel strong, but must keep our feet on the ground.”


Inter patron Massimo Moratti was in the stands of the San Siro. “I saw an entertaining game and these are encounters that can become dangerous if you don’t break the deadlock early. I think that Mancini has worked out a basic starting line-up, although the strikers are interchangeable.”


The Lecce fans continually hurled abuse at President Rico Semeraro – who resigned this week – and Coach Angelo Gregucci after the club earned one point from three games.


“We came to Milan in order to get a result and play our own type of football,” insisted Gregucci. “I saw some good moments and we were dangerous at times, especially at the start of the second half. Inter’s world class players made the difference. As for my future, I need time to work on this and hope that I’ll be given that opportunity.”


The Stadio Via del Mare supporters have made it clear they want last year’s Coach, Zdenek Zeman, reinstated.