Inter aims to solidify their Serie A lead despite the absence of Lautaro Martinez and two key midfielders. As a result, Marcus Thuram and Francesco Pio Esposito are set to start for their away fixture against a revitalised Lecce side.
The match is scheduled to kick off at the Stadio Via del Mare at 17:00 GMT (18:00 CET).
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CREMONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Coach Cristian Chivu of FC Internazionale is seen reacting during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giovanni Zini on February 01, 2026, in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
The Nerazzurri have experienced a challenging few days; while their lead at the top of the Serie A table extended to seven points, they also suffered a 3-1 defeat in Norway against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League play-off.
Further bad news came with Lautaro Martinez sustaining a calf strain during that match, ruling him out for approximately a month.
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Martinez joins Denzel Dumfries on the injury list, and for today’s game, both Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolò Barella are suspended.
These circumstances necessitate forced changes, with Davide Frattesi and Petar Sucic stepping into the starting XI. Federico Dimarco, who was rested in Norway, also returns.
Esposito gets the nod alongside Thuram, having previously scored midweek away to Bodo/Glimt.
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale Milano in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
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Lecce has experienced a notable upturn in recent weeks, securing consecutive victories against Udinese and Cagliari, which has allowed them to climb out of the relegation zone.
Francesco Camarda is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder, and Medon Berisha remains on the treatment table, but Lameck Banda makes his return from suspension.
Nevertheless, Banda starts on the bench, as Lecce opts to retain the line-up that secured their last two Serie A wins, including January signings Omri Gandelman and Walid Cheddira.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: Omri Gandelman of Lecce celebrates his goal, making it 0-1, during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and US Lecce at Stadio Sant’Elia on February 16, 2026, in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
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Official Lineups: Lecce vs. Inter
Lecce: Falcone; Veiga, Gaspar, Tiago Gabriel, Gallo; Ramadani, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Gandelman, Sottil; Cheddira
Inter: Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Frattesi, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito
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