Sunday 17th March 2002

Christian Vieri failed to find the target for the second successive week but Inter are finding ample replacements.

Last week it was all down to Clarence Seedorf, this week it was Alvaro Recoba's turn to provide the star turn. Just what your team needs when your star striker is failing to find the net. Recoba, celebrating his 26th birthday, provided both of Inter's goals as his team beat Lecce 2-1 this afternoon to stay level with Roma at the top of the league table.

Recoba's goals, the first a 60-yard run, beating three defenders before slipping the ball past Chimenti, the second a perfect shot with the outside of his left foot, don't tell the full story of the game as Inter needed a penalty save from Francesco Toldo to help them to their victory.

Cristian Vieri picked up an injury during the course of the game and Inter will be desperate to get him fit for the final push for the title, which starts next week when they face Roma at the San Siro, though it should be remembered that they are not a one man team, they were leading the league table months before Vieri even returned to the starting eleven.

Both sides started with a 4-4-2 formation, Rossi unsing Chevanton and Vugrinec up-front. Cuper chose to use Recoba on the left flank, swithching Seedorf to central midfield and usoing Ventola alongside Vieri. Guly was on the right, Simic replaced the disqualified Materazzi.

Inter were finding life difficult in the early stages, they just couldn't get down the flanks but they were finally woken up when Chevanton forced a miracle save from Toldo on the half-hour mark.

The breakthrough came out of nowhere, Recoba picked up the ball inside his own half, he headed straight for goal, running with the ball at his feet, somehow he managed to escape two chasing defenders, beat another defender and then the goalkeeper, and gave Inter the half-time lead.

Lecce presed forward early in the second half and Tonetto went close to equalising. Guly was finding life tough on the right flank and Cuper replaced him with Dalmat and that move sealed the game.

Within minutes Dalmat's effort resulted in the ball dropping at Recoba's left foot, inside the box, and Recoba's left foot is one of the most potent weapons in world football. Lecce Nil, Inter Two.

The home side refused to give up and the game could have turned on a penalty but Vugrinec's effort was saved by the giant Toldo. Then just as the game was drawing to a close the Croatian redeemed himself with a late consolation goal.

Lecce are left stuck in a relegation dog fight, Inter are looking forward to next week and dreaming of the scudetto.