Following their latest defeat of a frustrating Serie A season, Inter Milan aim to put things right at the first available opportunity, as they welcome Lecce to San Siro on Sunday.

Beaten by Bologna last time out, Inter’s deficit to distant league leaders Napoli grew further, and their main concern now is cementing a top-four finish. Their visitors, meanwhile, lost their first game in four but remain on course to achieve their objective of survival.

Napoli might be over the horizon at the Serie A (SA) summit, but with Inter Milan sitting just three points above fifth-placed Roma coming into the round, Simone Inzaghi’s men will be desperate to tighten their grip on the UEFA Champions League places. A crucial month, which also sees them play the second leg of their last 16 UCL tie against Porto, begins with a visit from Lecce, a side they have fared well against in recent history after winning their last eight home H2Hs.

Players beware however, as Inzaghi seemed unimpressed with his side’s latest outing – a 1-0 defeat to Bologna – with the coach stressing a need to “cut out complacency”. He might have a point, as Inter’s seven losses from their 24 league games so far is more than any campaign after as many games since 2016/17 (also seven) – a season in which they finished seventh.

There’s a piece of history up for grabs at this venue too, as after drawing 2-2 to AC Milan in their last appearance at the San Siro (2019/20) they could now go consecutive games unbeaten at this stadium for the first time since the turn of the century.

Precautionary measures means there will be no away fans in attendance to witness such a feat if it occurs, yet manager Marco Baroni may be hoping for an inspired start regardless as Lecce haven’t lost a SA

away game after striking first since 2011 (W10, D2)!

Players to watch: Inter will be hoping Lautaro Martínez can perform well here as they’ve triumphed in each of his last 13 goalscoring SA home outings. Assan Ceesay could prove key to any Lecce result as he netted in their last away outing, and also struck in the reverse fixture defeat (2-1).

Hot stat: No side has scored more SA match-openers at home than Inter’s ten ahead of the round.

Inter Milan Serie A form:

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Inter Milan form (all competitions):

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Lecce Serie A form:

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Inter Milan possible starting lineup:

Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Gosens; Martinez, Lukaku

Lecce possible starting lineup:

Falcone; Gendrey, Umtiti, Tuia, Gallo; Blin, Hjulmand, Maleh; Strefezza, Colombo, Di Francesco

Inter’s prowess on home soil should see them overcome their latest setback of an inconsistent season – they should also be fired up in response to criticism for last week’s showing. Lecce could be vulnerable at the back without the inimitable Baschirotto, so Lautaro and Lukaku can get back on the scoresheet.