Inter Milan boosts Serie A advantage to six points following Napoli's draw

Inter Milan extended their lead at the summit of Serie A to six points on Wednesday by securing a 1-0 victory over Lecce while capitalising on Napoli's stalemate against Parma.

The decisive strike in a closely fought encounter came in the 78th minute at the San Siro, with Pio Esposito converting after Wladimiro Falcone parried a fierce effort from Lautaro Martinez.

The 20-year-old substitute Esposito represents a promising talent for both Inter and Italy, having netted three times in his initial five outings for the national side since his senior debut in September.

After an absorbing draw with Napoli over the weekend, Inter have triumphed in seven of their past eight league fixtures, placing them six points clear of the defending champions and second-placed AC Milan.

Milan will travel across town to challenge in-form Como on Thursday, as the top three teams catch up on postponed matches from their involvement in the Italian Super Cup held in Saudi Arabia.

Bologna, defeated by Napoli in the Super Cup final, head to Verona on Thursday aiming for their first league success in seven attempts.

Inter face Udinese away this weekend prior to hosting Premier League frontrunners Arsenal at the San Siro in a pivotal Champions League clash.

Cristian Chivu's squad has suffered defeats in their last two Champions League games and faces the danger of slipping outside the top eight spots that secure straight passage to the knockout stage.

Lecce remain one position and three points clear of the Serie A drop zone, having earned only a single point from their previous five outings.

Napoli struggled to generate meaningful threats against Parma, apart from a Scott McTominay effort ruled out due to Pasquale Mazzocchi's offside position in the build-up.

The untidy affair at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona concluded with a depleted Napoli recording their third consecutive draw, widening the gap in the title race.

"We had some misfortune... we pushed to open up opportunities but Parma organised their defence effectively," remarked Cristian Stellini standing in for the banned Antonio Conte.

"A number of our key men have been sidelined for an extended period and their return remains uncertain."

Napoli entertain another mid-table side in Sassuolo on Saturday before a trip to FC Copenhagen, a result that could prove crucial for their hopes of advancing via the Champions League play-offs.