Lecce and Inter Milan will square up this Saturday in their first fixture of the 2022/23 Serie A season when they travel to Stadio Via del Mare.
Venue: Stadio Via del Mare (Lecce)
Key Statistics
Lecce picked up more points at home than any team in Serie B last season.
The hosts have beaten Inter Milan just once in their last 12 head-to-head meetings between the two sides (D3, L8).
They have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 meetings with Inter.
Inter Milan scored 84 goals last season, more than any other team in the division.
Only AC Milan and Napoli collected more points away from home than Inter Milan last season.
Romelu Lukaku has moved clubs on seven previous occasions and scored on his debut five times – including after his two loan moves to West Brom and Everton.
Head to head
Inter Milan have won eight of the last 12 head-to-head meetings between both sides, while Lecce have just one win and three draws.
Latest performances in all competitions
Lecce: L-L-W-L-W
Inter Milan: L-D-L-D-W
Lecce
After two seasons away from the Serie A, Lecce are back in the top flight but have been given arguably the toughest assignment on their return to the top tier as they host 2021/22 runners-up Inter Milan.
The hosts sealed their return to the top flight by winning the Serie B title on the final day last season when they defeated Pordenone 1-0. The final day win was one of Lecce’s 13 wins (D5, L1) at Via del Mare as they picked up more points at home than any team in the division.
Marco Baroni’s side will now hope they can begin their sojourn in the top-flight with a home win in what will be their second game at home this season having already faced minnows Cittadella in the Coppa Italia; a game they lost 3-2 in extra time.
The loss to Cittadella does not bode well as they look to turn around a terrible head-to-head record against Inter, who they have beaten just once in their last twelve meetings (D3, L8), keeping just one clean sheet in the process.
Possible Lecce starting line-up
Wladimiro Falcone; Valentin Gandrey, Alexis Blin, Kastriot Dermaku; Gianluca Frabotta, Kristijan Bistrovic, Morten Hjulmand, Kristoffer Askildsen; Gabriel Strefezza, Assan Ceesay; Di Francesco.
Injured: Johann Helgason, Alessandro Tuia, Kastriot Dermaku
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Inter Milan
After a disappointing ending to the 2021/22 season where they were pipped to the title by AC Milan by just two points, Inter Milan will look to go again this season as they look to topple their close rivals to the Scudetto.
The visitors have strengthened their ranks this summer by adding Romelu Lukaku and will hope that the Belgian’ return will give them the advantage in the title race.
However, with their underwhelming preseason form, which saw them win just one of their five friendly games, they are looking short of preparedness as they enter the new season. But given their impressive record against Lecce, they will be confident of getting a win in this game.
Possible Inter Milan starting line-up
Samir Handanovic; Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni, Milan Skriniar; Denzel Dumfries, Nicola Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Romelu Lukaku.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Lecce 1-3 Inter Milan
