Inter seeks points from game in hand against Lecce
Inter Milan is looking to extend its lead at the top of Serie A, and faces a Lecce side struggling at the other end of the table.
Centre back Alessandro Bastoni believes Inter took a definite step forward in terms of its mentality against Napoli, and he is keen to keep showing that against Lecce on Thursday (AEDT).
Inter was held to a 2-2 draw by Napoli on Monday (AEDT), but with AC Milan also dropping points at the weekend, Cristian Chivu's side remains three points clear at the top of the table.
That draw ended a run of six straight wins in the league for Inter, which is looking to bounce back against Lecce, in what is their game in hand after the Supercoppa Italiana participation.
While there were parts of their performance against Napoli that could still be improved, Bastoni was largely impressed with how he and his side handled the match.
"There are some details that we certainly need to work on, but I saw a definite step forward in terms of mentality and sharpness," Bastoni said.
"We should've done better on the goals, but must also recognise the quality of the opponents, who have players of the highest level.
"I still believe we've had a very good first half of the season, as I remember the perception that people had of us at the start.
"It is not easy to reboot after so many years, and I feel it has been a good campaign."
Inter is set to be without Hakan Calhanoglu for Lecce's visit after he was substituted in the second half of the Napoli game.
He has suffered a calf strain, which is reportedly set to see him miss around three weeks, also ruling him out of Inter's UEFA Champions League clashes with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.
Lecce, meanwhile, is struggling at the other end of the table, sitting 17th and just three points clear of Fiorentina below it.
It is winless in its past four matches, losing three and drawing one, and has won just one of its past six outings overall.
