Inter Milan have made a habit of making things difficult for themselves at Lecce before eventually finding a way through.
Indeed, Saturday’s 2-0 victory followed a familiar script, with both goals arriving late and both coming from corners.
In the reverse fixture in January, it took a 78th-minute Pio Esposito strike to break the deadlock.
This time, Mkhitaryan and Akanji did the damage in the final quarter of an hour, each converting from a Federico Dimarco delivery.
Set pieces have become one of Inter’s most reliable weapons under Chivu, and Saturday was another reminder of why opponents fear them at dead ball situations.
Lecce 0-2 Inter Milan – Nerazzurri Grow In Confidence
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The victory extended Inter’s extraordinary consistency, according to Tuttosport, a 13th win in their last 14 league games, a ninth consecutive away victory, and a momentary ten-point cushion over AC Milan.
The Turin outlet noted that if Milan fail to beat Parma at San Siro, the title race could effectively be over before March.
Chivu’s record also continues to attract attention.
His 64 points from 26 games makes him the second-best debutant manager in Serie A history at this stage, behind only Carlo Carcano’s 65 with Juventus in 1930-31.
And the finest in Inter’s own history, surpassing both Invernizzi’s 63 and Mourinho’s 60.
For a coach in his first major role, the numbers are nothing short of remarkable.