Mkhitaryan, Akanji fire Inter 10 points clear in Serie A
Henrikh Mkhitaryans goal during the second half enabled Inter Milan to extend their lead to 10 points atop the Serie A table after a 2-0 victory over Lecce on Saturday, meanwhile troubled Juventus suffered a loss at the hands of Como.
Cristian Chivus Inter side faced challenges in penetrating their determined opponents yet the 37 year old Mkhitaryan along with Manuel Akanji netted crucial late strikes ramping up the challenge for runners up AC Milan prior to their Sunday encounter with Parma.
Inter had endured an unexpected 3-1 setback against Norwegian outfit Bodo Glimt in the Champions League knockout playoff opening leg earlier this week, however they have since claimed seven straight wins in Serie A.
Focus now shifts to Tuesdays return fixture versus Bodo with the team from last seasons runner up spot aiming to sustain their continental push.
We recognise the challenges ahead and know we must fight for every opportunity on the field without assuming anything is assured Chivu remarked to DAZN regarding that match.
We need to deliver our finest performance since progression remains entirely possible and no outcome is set in stone.
This was bolstered by Milans stalemate with Como midweek and they solidified their championship aspirations even more at Lecce while seeking to reclaim the Scudetto from Napoli.
Inter wing back Luis Henrique saw an initial attempt blocked on the line by Lecce defender Jamil Siebert, followed by a superb stop from goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone to thwart Pio Esposito.
Falcone sprang into action once more in the 36th minute diverting Espositos header past the upright, and Davide Frattesi subsequently sent a shot soaring over the crossbar.
Inter believed they had opened the scoring shortly after the break but Federico Dimarcos attempt was disallowed following a VAR check due to a marginal offside involving Marcus Thuram in the sequence.
Nevertheless the away team converted their superiority with 15 minutes left as Mkhitaryan unleashed a half volley into the net amid a packed box.
Inter sealed the result when Akanji nodded in a Dimarco corner eight minutes from time.
Juve jeered by fans
Juventus drew boos from supporters after concluding a dismal week with a 2-0 defeat at home to Champions League hopefuls Como.
Luciano Spallettis squad had been hammered 5-2 by Galatasaray in their Champions League playoff first leg during the week and now added another setback to their tally.
Como in sixth position delivered a significant blow by handing Juve their initial home league loss this term drawing level on points with the fifth placed Turin side.
Roma occupying the fourth and last Champions League spot could widen the gap to four points over Juventus when they welcome Cremonese on Sunday.
There has been excessive focus on our latest outcomes and such periods truly test us Spalletti commented following his teams fourth loss in five outings across all tournaments.
Everything hinges on confidence in our abilities and recognising our strengths.
We had built that assurance in our capabilities but once that conviction and command wavers.
I observed errant passes that my players simply do not make. This is unusual and they seem overwhelmed by the circumstances.
Cesc Fabregass Como in their second Serie A campaign since promotion in 2024 greatly enhanced their own European qualification prospects with a first win in four league games.
Como led as early as the 11th minute after Juventus lost possession in the centre circle.
Anastasios Douvikas collected the ball and fed Mergim Vojvoda on the flank.
The player from Kosovo drifted inward before firing a left footed effort that goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio touched but failed to prevent from crossing the line.
The second arrived soon after the hour during a Como break from a mishandled Juventus set piece.
Maximo Perrone advanced the ball across the field before locating Lucas Da Cunha surging forward.
The skipper delivered a driven pass to Maxence Caqueret who finished easily from close proximity into an unguarded goal.