Mkhitaryan, Akanji fire Inter 10 points clear in Serie A

2026-02-21 - 21:43

Lecce’s Lassana Coulibaly (right) fights for the ball with Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi during their Serie A football match. (ANSA/AFP pic) MILAN: Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s second-half goal helped Inter Milan move 10 points clear at the Serie A summit with a 2-0 win at Lecce on Saturday, while beleaguered Juventus slumped to defeat by Como. Cristian Chivu’s Inter struggled to break down their stubborn hosts but 37-year-old Mkhitaryan and Manuel Akanji struck late to put the pressure on second-placed AC Milan ahead of their match against Parma on Sunday. Inter suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat by Norwegians Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League knockout play-off first leg in midweek, but have now won seven successive games in Serie A. They were given a boost by Milan’s draw with Como on Wednesday and strengthened their grip on the title race further at Lecce as they look to regain the Scudetto from Napoli. Inter wing-back Luis Henrique had an early effort cleared off the line by Lecce defender Jamil Siebert, before home goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone made a fine save to deny Pio Esposito. Falcone was called into action again in the 36th minute, tipping an Esposito header around