Vice-champion Inter Milan let themselves be surprised and annoyed for a long time by promoted Lecce after a perfect start by returnee Lukaku. The surprise was in the air – but only until a few seconds before the end.
The last weeks of Romelu Lukaku’s life couldn’t have been filmed much better – real life sometimes writes the best stories. For first the Chelsea FC striker, openly unhappy, realised his return to Inter Milan, the club with whom the Belgian had won the Italian championship in 2020/21, then the 29-year-old was straight back in the starting eleven alongside his congenial partner Lautaro Martinez – only to score directly after not even 90 seconds played (!)
After a beautiful cross from Dimarco and a clever assist from Darmian, Lukaku nodded the ball over the line here in Lecce to be celebrated by his colleagues and the Interisti (2nd minute).
Handanovic has nothing to do
The rest of the first 45 minutes, on the other hand, degenerated into a manageable affair: FC Internazionale were in full control, but lacked more and more offensive drive and rather administered the 1:0. And why not? The hosts Lecce had almost nothing dangerous to offer Handanovic, who was almost unemployed. The Apulians lacked creativity or even courageous finishes against their overpowering opponents, and instead often hit the ball too hard, drawing the ire of Milan coach Simone Inzaghi or the players themselves.
Dumfries stands golden
Those who had already written off the promoted side on this evening, however, were proved wrong – and rightly so. First of all, the striker Ceesay, who came from FC Zurich in the summer and who had also played for Osnabrück, scored into the bottom right corner after a beautiful pass from di Francesco (48th), before the 1:1 was held for a long, long time with passion. Above all, US captain Hjulmand, who only arrived in 2021 from Admira Wacker for only 100,000 euros (!), had everything under control with his supporting players.
As the clock ticked down, Inzaghi had no choice but to increase his offensive power more and more. By the end of the game, Milan’s coach was using his full arsenal: The forward duo of Lautaro Martinez and Lukaku remained on the field along with Calhanoglu and Barella and were supplemented with Dumfries, Dzeko and Correa. But even that did not bring the hoped-for winner for a long time, because Dumfries only hit the post once (70th), the defence of the underdogs defended passionately and Lecce’s goalkeeper Falcone stood in the way several times.
At the end of four minutes of injury time, the Nerazzurri would send the Apulians into the valley of tears and avoid their first setback of the new season: Dzeko was first to head over after Barella’s corner and strong header from Lautaro Martinez, but Dumfries was at the Bosnian’s back to head the ball in.
Lecce, who were ultimately beaten, next face Sassuolo Calcio next Saturday (20.45). Inter Milan will host Spezia Calcio at the same time – the next clear task on paper. Will the next nail-biter follow for the runners-up?
