The Nerazzurri moved on 47 points, one behind Juventus, who close Sunday's fixtures at home to Parma.

Promoted Lecce, who also held Juventus 1-1 in October, are one point clear of the drop zone as the league begins its second half.

Inter came close when Marcelo Brozovic hit the post before being denied twice by home goalkeeper Gabriel, but had to wait for the 20-year-old Alessandro Bastoni to come on and head home off Cristiano Biraghi in the 72nd minute.

Lecce levelled five minutes later as substitute Zan Majer squared to see his captain Marco Mancosu get the better of Bastoni.

"The result stems from the fact that my team must always go at 200 (kilometres per hour)," said Inter boss coach Antonio Conte, who was born and began playing in Lecce.

"If some players perform below par our game slows down and it can happen to draw a game we should have won, considering the game stats."

Roma clinched a 3-1 win at second-bottom Genoa, going fourth on 38 points and moving into the last Champions League place.

In the day's opener, substitute Ante Rebic scored a brace as AC Milan rallied to a late 3-2 victory at home to Udinese.

Brescia and visiting Cagliari drew 2-2 with braces from Joao Pedro and home striker Ernesto Torregrossa, while Bologna drew 1-1 with Verona.

On Saturday, third-placed Lazio pummelled visiting Sampdoria 5-1, Sassuolo beat Torino 2-1 and Fiorentina won 2-0 at Napoli.

Atalanta host SPAL on Monday.

Australian Associated Press