Pio Esposito has special relationship with Chivu: ‘We grew up together’ | OneFootball

Francesco Pio Esposito admits he has a special bond with Inter coach Cristian Chivu after scoring the winner against Lecce, while Piotr Zielinski warns ‘there are no easy games.’

The Nerazzurri knew that Napoli had been held to a third consecutive stalemate before setting foot on the pitch at San Siro tonight, so this was a big opportunity to break away at the top of the table.

This rescheduled Week 16 fixture with Lecce, moved from December due to the Supercoppa Italiana commitments, was another frustrating evening until the 78th minute.

Lautaro Martinez, shot was parried by Wladimiro Falcone, but Pio Esposito was ready to bundle in the rebound from six yards.

Pio Esposito celebrates special night for Inter

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano is challenged by Santiago Pierotti of US Lecce during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I’d been waiting a long time for this Serie A goal and it shows that all the hard work pays off, one way or another, and I am very happy. I still need a Champions League goal, but I’m so happy right now, that can wait,” Esposito told DAZN Italia.

The entire Inter bench ran onto the pitch to celebrate with the young Italian, including coach Chivu with a warm hug.

“I saw the coach there, I’m happy, as he had rushed up to celebrate with us when he was the coach of the Primavera youth team too. Our bond is made up of few words, but a lot of affection. He’s one of those people who doesn’t need to say much, you just know he’ll be there for you.

“I’ve known him for years, we practically ‘grew up’ together, him as a coach and me as a player, in the youth team. It’s a very important relationship for me.”

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his Head Coach, Cristian Chivu, during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Nerazzurri are surging away at the top, does that put more pressure on them now or fuel their motivation?

“It motivates us, we cannot be afraid when that is our objective. Every game is difficult, as we saw once again this evening, but we want to hang in there,” concluded Esposito.

This result means that Inter are officially the Winter Champions of Serie A, meaning they are top of the table at the midway stage, even if they have played 20 games now.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale Milano controls the ball whilst under pressure from Santiago Pierotti of US Lecce during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

They are six points clear of Napoli now, and Milan could close the gap a little, even if their Week 16 trip to Como tomorrow is a tricky test too.

“It is always nice to be up top, but we know there are many games to go and points up for grabs. Lecce are a team to be respected, as we saw, and there are no easy games in Serie A, so we must always give our best,” Zielinski told DAZN Italia.

“We were too slow in the first half, had too many touches and weren’t spreading the play out wide where we are so strong. We picked up the pace after the restart and in the end got the deserved goal with Pio.”