How Henrikh Mkhitaryan Saved Inter Against Lecce: Italian Press in Awe

In the 26th round of Serie A, Inter Milan secured an important 2–0 victory over Lecce. The hero of the match was 37-year-old Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, whose goal was not just a beautiful moment, but one that changed the emotional atmosphere surrounding the team.

Just days earlier, Inter had suffered a painful 1–3 defeat in Norway against Bodø/Glimt. Mkhitaryan started that match and delivered one of his least impressive performances of the season. Italian media did not spare the veteran, criticizing his lack of dynamism and sharpness.

The match against Lecce carried more psychological than tournament significance: Inter’s position in the standings remained solid, but the team needed to restore confidence ahead of the return leg against the Norwegians.

Mkhitaryan began the match on the bench and entered in the 61st minute. In the 75th minute, following a corner kick, the Armenian found himself in the right place and calmly sent the ball into Falcone’s net.

It was his second goal of the current Serie A season — and perhaps the most important one. Later, Manuel Akanji doubled the advantage, sealing the final 2–0 score.

The victory allowed Cristian Chivu’s side to confidently maintain first place and approach the Champions League return leg in a completely different mood.

Italian Press: “A Goal Worth Its Weight in Gold”

Eurosport
“He came on and, amid the scramble after a corner, struck past Falcone. A goal of enormous importance. He unlocked himself, just as Chivu had predicted. Explosive and decisive.”

Calciomercato
“He began the evening in the worst way — a shot into the stands and a failed cross. But with his third touch he fixed everything: after a corner, the ball accidentally fell to him and he calmly slotted it into the far corner. A tough, decisive goal that opened the match and set everything straight.”

Fcinter1908
“He came on and scored, just as Mario Cecchi had predicted. And this time it wasn’t the sixth goal in a rout — it was a goal that carries enormous weight.”

Sport Virgilio
“A three-point goal worth its weight in gold.”

SportMediaset
“A true cameo: a one-touch strike puts Inter ahead. He played little, but his impact was huge.”

Leggo
“At the toughest moment, there he is — his winning strike with the inside of the foot.”

Fcinternews
“He immediately tried to get into the game — shot at goal (over the bar), misplaced a cross. It seemed the quality wasn’t there, but at the right moment he found it: not the most spectacular, but a precise strike that beat Falcone. He also delivered a golden assist to Dimarco.”

L’Interista
“A right-footed strike with the inside that beat Falcone. His introduction made the difference.”

Mkhitaryan once again proved that age in football is not a sentence, but an advantage when it comes to composure and understanding of the game.

After criticism — a response through action. After a dull performance — a goal that “weighs” more than the usual three points.

And it seems that in Milan, the Armenian veteran is being applauded once again.