The match was closed for long stretches and only began to come to life around the hour mark when both Lecce and Inter managed to play into space in search of an opener that never came. The clash between the Giallorossi and Nerazzurri was physical, hard-fought in the midfield, becoming even tougher when the rain started hammering down towards the end of the game. In the first half, the hosts were the more dangerous side with Bertolucci freeing himself up in the box to unleash a shot that went high. Lecce kept trying to make moves in attack through Delle Monache and Bertolucci who also placed a perfect cross for a lone Winklemann in the box in the 30th minute, the midfielder’s shot was too strong under pressure from his man. Inter couldn’t get anything going, trying to play into spaces that just wouldn’t open up.
The second half started with some Nerazzurri action. Spinaccè profited on the run from Motta but his shot was somehow saved by Rafaila. The sides began to push and Kovac tried a shot from distance, stopped by a vigilant Calligaros. Things lit up with Spinaccè and Quieto beating their men and the keeper but running out of pitch before they could get a shot away. The state of the pitch was only getting worse and Bertolucci found the ball at his feet on a rebound in the box but couldn’t quite finish it off, sending the grasscutter to Calligaris. The two sides battled to the very last second but the final whistle blw in the pouring rain in Lecce with the Giallorossi and Nerazzurri walking away with a point each. Now Zanchetta’s side will fly to Bern to face Young Boys on matchday 3 of the Youth League, scheduled for Wednesday 23 October at 14:00 CEST.
LECCE 0-0 INTER
LECCE (4-3-3): 1 Raphael; 27 Ubani, 5 Pehlivanov (26 Pacia 87′), 3 Esposito, 4 Addo; 8 Kovac, 6 Gorter, 10 Yilmaz (42 Mboko 58′); 7 Winkelmann (78 Denis 84′), 77 Bertloucci (9 Vescan-Kodor 84′), 24 Delle Monache. Unused subs: 30 Verdosci, 2 Russo, 17 Agrimi, 29 Minerva, 31 Pantaleo, 34 Zanotel, 70 Pejazic. Coach: Giuseppe Scurto. INTER (4-3-3): 1 Calligaris; 2 Aidoo (19 Della Mora 66′), 24 Re Cecconi, 5 Alexiou, 17 Motta; 16 Venturini, 4 Zanchetta (25 Zouin 87′), 29 Topalovic (8 Zarate 86′); 28 Romano, 11 Spinaccè (9 Lavelli 74′), 10 Quieto. Unused subs: 21 Zamarian, 32 Michielan, 6 Maye, 13 Kangasniemi, 22 Tigani, 31 El Mahboubi. Coach: Andrea Zanchetta. Booked: Of the Nuns (L).
Referee: Sacks Assistants: Andreano and Colaianni
THE NEWS
SECOND HALF 90’+4′ In the deluge of Lecce comes the referee’s final whistle. It ends 0-0 between the Giallorossi and the Nerazzurri. 80′ Quieto again, this time with a personal initiative. Topalovic passes the ball to the left, Quieto controls, skips the man, creates space to finish, but his shot ends up high. 71′ Reversal in front with Bertolucci who fails to take advantage of a good opportunity. The attacker wriggles into the penalty area and shoots low, with Calligaris having no problem sabotaging the opponent’s initiative. 70′ The Nerazzurri are increasingly proactive. On this round Zanchetta tries a left-footed shot from long range, but the trajectory of the ball is too high. 68′ The match gets more and more heated. Spinaccè serves Quieto, the attacker skips the marker and the goalkeeper but is unable to finish on goal, with his initiative going out of the back. 66′ Lecce tries again, this time with Kovac. The midfielder finishes powerfully but Calligaris dives and denies him the joy of scoring. 63′ Delle Monache becomes dangerous with an incursion from the left, but his low shot is blocked for a corner by Calligaris. 56′ Good opportunity for Inter. Spinaccè serves in the middle with the left foot and finds the insertion of Motta, the winger tries from close range with a volley but Rafaila is well positioned and blocks. 46′ Back on the pitch in Lecce. Let’s go Nerazzurri! FIRST HALF 45’+1′ The first half ends between Lecce and Inter. Score fixed at 0-0. 35′ Great opportunity for Inter. Spinaccè kicks left-footed into the opponent’s penalty area but Rafaila manages to block the powerful shot. 30′ Bertolucci finds Winkelmann in the Nerazzurri penalty area but the Giallorossi player finishes too powerfully, sending the ball over the crossbar. 22′ The Nerazzurri try to respond with Topalovic. The midfielder attempts a flat shot from the edge of the penalty area but the ball ends up on the bottom, not far from the post. 18′ Lecce very close to scoring with Bertolucci. The attacker breaks free in the penalty area and tries to finish with his left foot, but his shot ends up high over the crossbar. 5′ Delle Monache tries with a curling shot from outside the area, but the shot is weak and Calligaris manages to block it. 1′ Kick-off! The match between Lecce and Inter begins.
