During the 2005/2006 season, the second year of Roberto Mancini’s first stint as Inter’s coach, the Nerazzurri found themselves in the middle of a fantastic twelve game unbeaten streak as they prepared to travel to Lecce in round 22 of the Serie A.
With Adriano’s dominance at the top and a star-studded supporting cast in the starting line-up, the Nerazzurri were the heavy favorites against a Lecce side that was fighting for survival in Serie A third season in a row.
Going into the match, Adriano was in fantastic form, scoring six goals during the stretch of twelve games while the defense managed to keep two consecutive clean sheets heading into the clash at Stadio Via del Mare.
The home side, Lecce were experiencing a very difficult season, having lost thirteen games already heading into the match against the Nerazzurri. Fighting the tough battle against relegation, Roberto Rizzo’s men were in a must-win situation going up against an inform side.
Starting this match for Inter was Julio Cesar in goal with a defense consisting of Javier Zanetti, Ivan Cordoba, Walter Samuel, and Giuseppe Favalli. In midfield Luis Figo, Dejan Stankovic, Esteban Cambiasso and Juan Sebastian Veron pulled the strings behind the attacking duo of Adriano and Julio Cruz.
For Roberto Rizzo, starting for Lecce was Francesco Benussi in goal with a defensive backline of Souleymane Diamoutene, Erminio Rullo, Lorenzo Stovini and Tiziano Polenghi. Midfield of Marco Cassetti, Davide Giorgino, Cristian Ledesma, Genaro Delvecchio and attacking duo of Mirko Vucinic and Babu.
Rizzo’s side, wary of the imminent threat from Adriano, double-teamed him from the start while the midfielders dropped back in defense to provide further coverage for Julio Cruz. Lecce set up a low block right from the start and attacked the visitors strictly on the counter. Earlier on, Lecce also tested Julio Cesar from range, however, the Brazilian goalkeeper dealt with it comfortably.
On the flip side, Roberto Mancini’s side retained the majority of the possession, creating a number of chances in the process. The midfielders tested Benussi from range, however, he made numerous acrobatic saves to keep the score on level terms.
With two tall strikers in the middle, Mancini’s men kept switching the ball from side to side and attacked through the wing from Luis Figo’s left side. Double-teaming Adriano strategy consistently left a space around the edge of the box. Stankovic often exploited this tactic from the home side by making late runs into the box.
Cambiasso staying deep for most of the first half, also benefitted from it, taking multiple shots from range in the first half, however despite all the chances created, Benussi’s brilliant performance the Nerazzurri went into half-time tied at 0-0.
As the second half got underway, Inter pushed the ball through the middle and let Adriano take center stage, using his speed, dribbling and powerful stature to get through the heart of Lecce defenses. Benussi’s continued dominances in goal kept a clean sheet until seventy-seventh minute.
Figo, benefitting from Lecce’s double marking of Adriano, was allowed to get a free-run inside the box and strike a powerful driven shot through the legs of Benussi to give Inter the crucial 1-0 lead with just thirteen minutes left in the match.
Desperately needing some points to turn the season around, matters got much worse for Lecce as Cristian Ledesma picked up a second yellow card for a hard foul and the home side found themselves down a man with ten minutes to go.
With the men and goal advantage in their favor, the visitors imposed themselves took complete control of the match and added a second goal by Dejan Stankovic right at the death to confirm the victory for Mancini’s side.
Adriano received a cross from Figo and laid off the ball for Stankovic who sent a piledriving shot from range past Benussi. The Deki-bomb from range sealed Lecce’s fate in the match and Inter continued the fantastic run of form by extending the unbeaten streak to thirteen matches.
