Francesco Pio Esposito admits he has a particular bond with Inter coach Cristian Chivu after , whereas Piotr Zielinski warns ‘there aren’t any simple video games.’
The Nerazzurri knew that earlier than setting foot on the pitch at San Siro tonight, so this was an enormous alternative to interrupt away on the prime of the desk.
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This rescheduled Week 16 fixture with Lecce, moved from December as a result of Supercoppa Italiana commitments, was one other irritating night till the 78th minute.
Lautaro Martinez, shot was parried by Wladimiro Falcone, however Pio Esposito was able to bundle within the rebound from six yards.
Pio Esposito celebrates particular evening for Inter
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano is challenged by Santiago Pierotti of US Lecce throughout the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
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“I’d been ready a very long time for this Serie A objective and it reveals that each one the onerous work pays off, a method or one other, and I’m very completely happy. I nonetheless want a Champions League objective, however I’m so completely happy proper now, that may wait,”
Your complete Inter bench ran onto the pitch to have a good time with the younger Italian, together with coach Chivu with a heat hug.
“I noticed the coach there, I’m completely happy, as he had rushed as much as have a good time with us when he was the coach of the Primavera youth workforce too. Our bond is made up of few phrases, however a variety of affection. He’s a kind of individuals who doesn’t have to say a lot, you simply know he’ll be there for you.
“I’ve recognized him for years, we virtually ‘grew up’ collectively, him as a coach and me as a participant, within the youth workforce. It’s an important relationship for me.”
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his workforce’s first objective together with his Head Coach, Cristian Chivu, throughout the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
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The Nerazzurri are surging away on the prime, does that put extra strain on them now or gasoline their motivation?
“It motivates us, we can’t be afraid when that’s our goal. Each sport is troublesome, as we noticed as soon as once more this night, however we need to grasp in there,” concluded Esposito.
This consequence implies that Inter are formally the Winter Champions of Serie A, which means they’re prime of the desk on the halfway stage, even when they’ve performed 20 video games now.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale Milano controls the ball while underneath strain from Santiago Pierotti of US Lecce throughout the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
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They’re six factors away from Napoli now, and Milan may shut the hole just a little, even when their Week 16 journey to Como tomorrow is a difficult check too.
“It’s all the time good to be up prime, however we all know there are a lot of video games to go and factors up for grabs. Lecce are a workforce to be revered, as we noticed, and there aren’t any simple video games in Serie A, so we should all the time give our greatest,” Zielinski instructed DAZN Italia.
“We have been too gradual within the first half, had too many touches and weren’t spreading the play out extensive the place we’re so sturdy. We picked up the tempo after the restart and ultimately obtained the deserved objective with Pio.”