Serie A leaders Inter Milan look to continue their impressive league run when they welcome Lecce to San Siro in their penultimate game of the year.
Simone Inzaghi's side were stunned in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday night, but they deserved more on the balance of play against Bologna and seek to bounce back in gameweek 17.
Match preview
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Inter should be sick of the sight of Bologna, having been eliminated in the domestic cup at the round of 16 stage, ending their chances of winning a third straight title.
Despite failing to score, Inzaghi's team dominated proceedings for 90 minutes — and even had Lautaro Martinez denied from 12 yards — before going ahead at the start of extra time, only to fall to Sam Beukema and Dan Ndoye strikes after Carlos Augusto's 92nd-minute goal.
Thiago Motta's side had come from two goals down to draw 2-2 at San Siro in the league fixture between the teams in October, and Wednesday's outcome means the Nerazzurri have claimed one win over the Rossoblu in the last five encounters.
Inzaghi's troops return to Serie A action in their final game at San Siro this year, keen to return to winning ways after their midweek disappointment.
Last season's beaten Champions League finalists have claimed three straight victories in front of their fans in the league without conceding, and the fans hope the team sends them home happy at the final whistle.
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As for Lecce, previous road results do not bode well in the lead-up to Saturday's game against the table-topping side.
While Roberto D'Aversa's men have not lost in five consecutive gameweeks, the inability to secure victories on their travels puts the away side at a disadvantage in round 17's San Siro trip.
Only Bologna (six) have played out more draws than Lecce's five stalemates on the road, and while another tie at Inter will be accepted, D'Aversa's men hope to turn the tide in the campaign's second half.
Saturday is another chance for the Salentini to continue a run of scoring in four consecutive road games and all but one of seven away matches in 2023-24 — a 1-0 loss at Juventus.
Lecce may have already held Fiorentina in Florence, defeated Monza and were minutes away from beating Jose Mourinho's Roma side in the capital, but Inter represent their biggest road challenge.
Team News
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Martinez is doubtful for Saturday's game after going off against Bologna on Wednesday with a suspected thigh injury, pointing to a possible start for Marko Arnautovic alongside Marcus Thuram.
Inter revealed on Friday that Federico Dimarco is nursing a muscular issue, meaning Augusto could start at left wing-back for the Nerazzurri, who are without the injured quartet of Juan Cuadrado, Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries and Alexis Sanchez for the visit of Lecce.
Pontus Almqvist is not expected to feature, while Patrick Dorgu, Hamza Rafia and Marin Pongracic are touch-and-go for Saturday's trip to Inter.
Despite not scoring in Lecce's first league win in five, Lameck Banda had an outstanding game against Frosinone, and the wide attacker should start at San Siro.
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Augusto; Thuram, Arnautovic
Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Gendrey, Pongracic, Baschiroto, Gallo; Gonzalez, Ramadani, Oudin; Strefezza, Piccoli, Banda
We say: Inter Milan 3-1 Lecce
Despite Lecce's scoring run on their travels and Martinez's potential absence for Inter, the Nerazzurri should secure a comfortable triumph on home turf in this year's final game at San Siro.
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