Final score

10 May 2014 20:45

Inter
34' (2nd half) Hernanes
37' Palacio
34' Icardi
7' Palacio
4 - 1
Lazio
2' Biava
Referee: Davide Massa / Linesmen: Marzaloni, Cariolato / Fourth official: Liberti / Assistants: Bergonzi, De Marco
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
45' A thrilling first half comes to a close. Nerazzurri 3-1 up at the break
45' The Inter rearguard closes the door on Pereirinha
42' Inter on the attack again, Nagatomo's cross is deflected into the side netting. Corner to the Nerazzurri
40' With a fantastic crowd behind them, Inter have responded superbly to that early Lazio goal. The stadium rises as Zanetti starts warming up
37' GOAL FOR INTER! Palacio pounces on Nagatomo's low cross for his second and Inter's third. 3-1! Forza Inter!!!
34' Sublime from Kovacic! He picks out Icardi with the outside of his boot and Mauro applies the finish! Inter 2-1 Lazio!
30' Palacio is the first name into the ref's book for a studs-up challenge on Pereirinha. He'll miss next week's trip to Chievo
26' Keita runs amok on the right flank and skids a low ball through the six-yard box which mercifully no Lazio shirt gets on the end of
24' Handanovic is forced to make a great save to keep out Keita's shot from outside the box
24' Nagatomo sends in a cross, Jonathan knocks it down and Hernanes strikes it on the volley: it's headed goalwards but bounces off Palacio
16' Kovacic does well to find Palacio, whose right-footed effort is saved
12' Nagatomo drills one in from out on the left, Berisha bundles it behind for a corner
7' All square now! Kovacic slips it through to Palacio, who gets the faintest of touches to nudge past Berisha: Inter 1-1 Lazio!
4' Hernanes has a dig from range, it's wide
2' Lazio have an early lead here. Cana is allowed a free header at the far post and Biava gets the finishing touch. Inter 0-1 Lazio
1' The Nerazzurri take the kick-off and Inter v Lazio is now underway. Forza Inter!!!
Minute Text commentary
48' It's all over! Inter have beaten Lazio 4-1 to ensure they will be playing European football next season
46' Klose heads wide
45' Three minutes of added time
40' The decibel level rockets again as captain Zanetti charges up the pitch once more
37' Change for Lazio: Felipe Anderson leaves the field, replaced by Minala
34' GOAL FOR INTER! And what a strike! Hernanes cuts inside and rifles across Berisha into the far corner. Inter 4-1 Lazio!
32' Handanovic comes up trumps again with two more saves, first from Candreva and then Klose
28' Third and final switch for Mazzarri: Taider is on for Kuzmanovic
27' Close there! Felipe Anderson's shot takes a deflection and almost catches out Handanovic but the Slovene gets his foot to it
25' Candreva sends over a ball for Keita, who fluffs his volley. But the move started from a foul on Kovacic
23' Lazio substitution: Onazi goes off, Candreva comes on
22' Keita clearly wants his name on the score sheet tonight but Handanovic denies him once again
20' Another change for Inter as Palacio makes way for Milito. Cue another standing ovation for our Treble hero!
15' El Principe Diego Alberto Milito is warming up. The San Siro crowd rise to their feet for the Nerazzurri No.22
14' Felipe Anderson takes a shot but that's no problem for Handanovic
13' Keita is proving to be a tricky customer as he fires narrowly wide
10' Zanetti wins the ball and bursts forward down the wing. San Siro erupts!
8' Keita crosses for Biava, who directs a firm header goalwards and Handanovic is called into action to make a great save
7' The Meazza faithful were baying for the captain and the house almost comes down as he enters the fray! Zanetti on, Jonathan off
2' Kovacic tries to find a way through to Palacio but it's a tad too heavy. The young Croat is applauded for the idea
1' The second period starts as Lazio take the kick-off
1' Reja made a half-time substitution: Ledesma is on for Gonzalez
Zanetti
9.61
9.61
Samuel
7.9
7.9
Milito
7.6
7.6
Ranocchia
7.57
7.57
Nagatomo
7.31
7.31
Jonathan
6.36
6.36
Palacio
8.58
8.58
Handanovic
8.82
8.82
Kuzmanovic
6.22
6.22
Kovacic
9.34
9.34
Icardi
7.63
7.63
Rolando
7.24
7.24
Taïder
6.32
6.32
Hernanes
7.37
7.37
Average rating 7.71
7 shots on target 9
2 shots off target 8
13 fouls committed 1
3 corners 8
2 offsides 0
56% ball possession 44%
DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(46) draws(26) defeats(10)

MILAN - It was the result the Nerazzurri faithful had dreamt of for Zanetti's farewell game. San Siro erupted to the goals of Palacio, Icardi and Hernanes, but the biggest roar of the night was when the captain made his entrance. Three points in front of Erick Thohir and Massimo Moratti that secure European football for next season. But the night is still young...

Indeed it was Zanetti's night – his last appearance as a player in the stadium that has been his for 19 years. Every last detail at the Meazza was designed to pay homage to the captain. From the giant No.4 shirt in the middle of the pitch to the T-shirts worn by the team during the pre-match warm-up, the pitchside LED displays and the images on the giant screen. The Nerazzurri faithful were loving every minute of it because there's only one captain, and 'C'è solo un Capitano!' rang around the Meazza.

As for the game itself - Inter's second-last of the season and crucial in the race for European football - Mazzarri brought in Kuzmanovic for the suspended Cambiasso in an otherwise unchanged line-up. Ranocchia, Samuel, Rolando were in defence, in midfield Kuz was flanked by Jonathan and Hernanes on the right and Kovacic and Nagatomo on the left, and Argentine duo Palacio and Icardi started up front.

The stadium – virtually sold out – was rocking from the off, but unfortunately Lazio were in party-spoiling mood and Biava touched home Cana's header from close range to give the visitors a shock lead after just two minutes.

The goal triggered a fierce reaction from the Nerazzurri though, and within five minutes Palacio had us level following a delightful through ball from Kovacic. In the 34th minute, the young Croat then played in another brilliant pass to hand it on a plate for Icardi, who duly obliged. Just four minutes passed and Palacio added his second of the night, swooping on Nagatomo's low cross to make it 3-1 before running across to hug captain Zanetti in the dugout. Inter went in at the break buzzing.

Seven minutes after the restart, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived: Zanetti came on! The whole stadium rose to its feet and a roar went up as the captain beat his chest and the game within the game began. Pupi was wearing a special captain's armband for his 857th Inter appearance which bore the names of all the team-mates he's had during his long black and blue career.

Handanovic pulled off a stunning save to keep out Biava's header in the 54th minute, while Milito began warming up on the hour mark, ready to make his own entrance. It came five minutes later to another standing ovation, as Samuel – he too a pillar of our Treble-winning side – waited for him on the pitch to share this special night.

Lazio of course were still trying to get something from this game and managed a succession of shots on Handanovic's goal, but the big Slovene was in stingy mood and let nothing pass.

The Nerazzurri made the points safe with goal number four in the 79th minute and it was former Lazio man Hernanes who struck it. The Brazilian cut inside from the right and ripped a low skidding drive into the far corner to celebrate his World Cup call-up in style.

A thoroughly convincing 4-1 victory that ensured Inter's place in the Europa League next term and meant the post-match party could begin.

Inter 4-1 Lazio (HT: 3-1)
Scorers: Biava 2, Palacio 7, 38, Icardi 34, Hernanes 79.

Inter: 1 Handanovic; 23 Ranocchia, 25 Samuel, 35 Rolando; 2 Jonathan (Zanetti 52), 88 Hernanes, 17 Kuzmanovic (Taider 74), 10 Kovacic, 55 Nagatomo; 8 Palacio (Milito 65), 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 12 Castellazzi, 30 Carrizo, 6 Andreolli, 14 Campagnaro, 33 D'Ambrosio, 11 Alvarez, 13 Guarin, 20 Botta.
Coach: Walter Mazzarri.

Lazio: 1 Berisha; 20 Biava, 27 Cana, 3 Dias; 15 Gonzalez (Ledesma 46), 23 Onazi (Candreva 68), 5 Biglia, 17 Pereirinha; 7 Felipe Anderson (Minala 82), 11 Klose, 14 Keita.
Subs not used: 95 Strakosha, 55 Guerrieri, 2 Ciani, 16 Elez, 85 Novaretti, 6 Mauri, 48 Filippini, 60 Pollace, 34 Perea.
Coach: Edy Reja.

Referee: Massa.
Booked: Palacio 30, Onazi 46.
Added time: 0+3.
Attendance: 64,718.


starting lineups

Handanovic 1 1 Berisha
Ranocchia 23 20 Biava
Samuel 25 27 Cana
Rolando 35 3 Dias
Jonathan 2 15 Gonzalez
Hernanes 88 23 Onazi
Kuzmanovic 17 5 Biglia
Kovacic 10 17 Pereirinha
Nagatomo 55 7 Felipe Anderson
Palacio 8 11 Klose
Icardi 9 14 Keita

substitutes

Castellazzi 12 95 Strakosha
Carrizo 30 55 Guerrieri
Zanetti 4 2 Ciani
Andreolli 6 16 Elez
Campagnaro 14 85 Novaretti
D'Ambrosio 33 6 Mauri
Alvarez 11 48 Filippini
Guarin 13 60 Pollace
Taïder 21 24 Ledesma
Botta 20 87 Candreva
Milito 22 34 Perea
58 Minala