Final score

20 December 2015 20:45

Inter
16' (2nd half) Icardi
1 - 2
Lazio
42' (2nd half) Candreva (P)
5' Candreva
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni / Linesmen: Di Liberatore, Preti / Fourth official: Meli / Assistants: Rizzoli, Di Bello
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
46' The first half comes to a close, Lazio go in with a 1-0 lead thanks to Candreva's strike
45' One minute of additional time at the end of the first half
44' A rebound falls kindly to Candreva but he can't beat an onrushing Handanovic
42' Good effort from Telles, Berisha gathers at the second attempt
41' Radu fouls Jovetic 30 yards out. Free-kick for Inter
37' Jovetic is standing over it, but his effort sails harmlessly over
36' Konko fouls Perisic and Inter have a free-kick just outside the area
35' The game is finely balanced here and Lazio are still in the lead
29' Inter with a corner: Telles swings it in but Lazio's defence clears
24' Great work from Telles, beating three men in midfield and passing to Melo. The Brazilian overhits his pass intended for Biabiany
19' Inter are trying to react after conceding but are finding it difficult to find spaces in Lazio's backline
14' Felipe Anderson is tackled by Medel and Lazio have a corner
10' Jovetic is working hard in the opposition's half and holding off the challenges, but he's tackled before he can get the shot away
5' Well-worked corner from Lazio, Candreva beats Handanovic with a first-time shot on the edge of the area. 0-1
4' Wonderful pass from Jovetic for Perisic, Berisha comes out to close down Inter's No. 44
2' Nervous from Handanovic who is nearly closed down by Matri, Murillo is on hand to clear
1' And we're under way! Lazio with the kick-off
1' Everything's ready at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for the Nerazzurri's last league match of 2015
Minute Text commentary
52' Lazio win 2-1. Icardi's strike wasn't enough as Candreva's double hands the visitors three points
52' Brozovic with a free-kick, Mauro Icardi jumps highest but can't direct his header on goal
50' Final change for Lazio: Patric coming on for Candreva
48' Milinkovic gets a second yellow and leaves the pitch early
47' Candreva is booked for time-wasting
45' There will be five minutes of additional time
45' Felipe Melo fouls Biglia and gets a straight red card
44' Final change for Inter, Palacio replaces Telles
42' Handanovic saves the penalty from Candreva, who slots home the rebound. Lazio are back into the lead
41' Mazzoleni hands Lazio a penalty after Melo is adjudged to have fouled Milinkovic
37' Another sub for Pioli, Anderson comes off for Keita
33' Reverse pass from Djordjevic for Felipe Anderson, but it's a touch too far and he can't reach it
28' Lazio make a change, Djordjevic coming on for Matri
27' Brozovic crosses for Perisic, the Croatian gets his head on it but the ball goes behind
26' Candreva takes the free-kick, but the wall does its job and Inter clear
25' Lazio get a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area after a foul by Felipe Melo
20' Milinkovic picks up a yellow card for foul play
16' GOOOAAAAAL!!! Mauro Icardi beats the offside trap perfectly and slots it past Berisha! 1-1
13' Mancini with a double substitution, Brozovic and Ljajic on for Biabiany and Jovetic
10' Biabiany is booked
9' Telle strikes it and Lazio's defence deflects it behind for a corner
7' Mazzoleni hands Inter an indirect free-kick just outside the six-yard box after a backpass to Berisha
4' Biglia upends Jovetic and sees yellow
1' No changes to either side as the second half gets started
Biabiany
3.88
3.88
Palacio
5.11
5.11
Handanovic
5.75
5.75
Icardi
6.25
6.25
Medel
4.52
4.52
Brozovic
5.57
5.57
Miranda
6.22
6.22
Murillo
6.44
6.44
Montoya
3.4
3.4
Jovetic
4.56
4.56
Perisic
4.89
4.89
Ljajic
5.57
5.57
Melo
2.3
2.3
Telles
5.57
5.57
Average rating 5
2 shots on target 3
3 shots off target 2
17 fouls committed 22
5 corners 4
3 offsides 0
52% ball possession 48%
wins(46) draws(26) defeats(10)

MILAN – Inter's march was halted in the last league game of 2015 as Antonio Candreva scored twice to hand Lazio all three points after Mauro Icardi had temporarily brought the sides level in the second half. 

Nevertheless, Roberto Mancini's men end the year at the top of Serie A and will be back in action against Empoli on 6 January. 

Both teams started the game very well, but the first sign of danger came when Martin Montoya passed back to Samir Handanovic in goal, who was very nearly closed down by Alessandro Matri. Luckily for the Slovenian, Jeison Murillo was on hand to clear up the loose ball. 

Inter's response came in the fourth minute, with Stevan Jovetic finding Ivan Perisic with a superb defence-splitting pass. The Croatian tried to take the ball in his stride, but his touch at full speed was a little heavy and allowed Besart Berisha to come off his line and claim.

One minute later, the visitors took the lead after a well-worked corner routine found Candreva lurking on the edge of the box. The Italian's clipped first-time strike went through a crowd of legs in the box and past Handanovic before he could take stock. The goal left the Nerazzurri rattled for the first fifteen minutes, but they regrouped at the back and limited Lazio to Felipe Anderson's individual surges up top.

Alex Telles was the home side's best performer, constantly probing and trying to free up Perisic and Jovetic from the left-wing. Unfortunately, Inter couldn't turn the Brazilian's initiative into an equaliser.

Lazio continued to threaten in the first half, with Candreva looking to catch the Nerazzurri defence off-guard on the first occasion when Telles found himself out of position. Murillo was excellently placed once again to clear the danger.

Inter were presented with an excellent chance in the 37th minute after being awarded a free-kick on the top-right corner of the Lazio box. Jovetic stood over the ball, but couldn't keep his effort below the bar.

Soon after, the Biancocelesti came close to doubling their advantage when a mistake from Felipe Melo allowed Anderson to pounce on a loose ball midway inside Inter's half. The Brazilian broke through a challenge with Murillo and played Candreva through on goal, whose shot sailed harmlessly over the bar.

After a minute's additional time, the teams went in at the break with Inter trailing 1-0.

The second half began with no changes to either side. Inter tried to immediately put the pressure on their opponents and were awarded an indirect free-kick when Stefan Radu played a backpass that Berisha handled. The ball was touched onto Telles, who struck it fiercely but couldn't find a way through the wall of Biancocelesti bodies, with the ball going out for a corner. 

Mancini tried to inject some fresh ideas into his team by throwing on Marcelo Brozovic and Adem Ljajic for Jonathan Biabiany and Jovetic. It seemed to pay dividends as Inter drew level on the stroke of 60 minutes. Murillo played a ball up to Perisic who touched it on first time, putting Icardi into a one-on-one situation. The Argentine No. 9 was ice-cold as he slotted it past Lazio's keeper with his first real chance of the game.

The match was finely balanced and neither side were able to take control of possession. In the 70th minute, Lazio won a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the area. Candreva struck it well with his right foot, but the wall did its job and Gary Medel cleared from the ensuing melee.

With half an hour gone in the second half, both sides worked themselves good opportunities in quick succession. First up was Ljajic, who skipped past two men but couldn't find room to get the shot away. Then the ever-dangerous Candreva looked to play in Anderson for Lazio, but his pass was a touch overhit and ended up behind.

The advantage swung back Lazio's way in the 85th minute. Felipe Melo was adjudged to have fouled Sergej Milinkovic-Savic while competing for a high ball in the area. Handanovic did fantastically to save Candreva's penalty, but could do nothing as the Biancocelesti striker slotted home the rebound.

In a manic final few minutes, both sides were reduced to ten men: first Felipe Melo for a reckless challenge on Lucas Biglia, then Milinkovic-Savic for a second bookable offence. Lazio survived injury time with no more danger and head back to the capital with three points. 

INTER 1-2 LAZIO (HT: 0-1)

Scorers: Candreva 5, Icardi 60, Candreva 86.

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 14 Montoya, 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 12 Telles (8 Palacio, 87); 83 Melo, 17 Medel; 11 Biabiany (77 Brozovic, 57) , 10 Jovetic (22 Ljajic, 57), 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 5 Jesus, 6 Dodò, 7 Kondogbia, 13 Guarin, 21 Santon, 33 D'Ambrosio, 55 Nagatomo, 97 Manaj.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

LAZIO: 99 Berisha; 29 Konko, 33 Mauricio, 2 Hoedt, 26 Radu; 21 Milinkovic-Savic, 20 Biglia, 16 Parolo; 87 Candreva (Patricio, 90+4), 17 Matri (9 Djordjevic, 74), 10 Felipe Anderson (14 Keita, 82).
Subs not used: 55 Guerrieri, 66 Matosevic, 5 Braafheid, 6 Mauri, 23 Onazi, 32 Cataldi, 44 Prce, 70 Oikonomidis.
Coach: Stefano Pioli.

Yellow cards: Biglia 49, Biabiany 55, Milinkovic-Savic 66, Candreva 90+1.
Red cards: Melo 90, Milinkovic-Savic 90+2.

Additional time: 1+5.

Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni.
Assistant referees: Elenito Giovanni Di Liberatore, Fabiano Preti.
Fourth official: Filippo Meli.
Additional assistants: Nicola Rizzoli, Marco Di Bello.

starting lineups

Handanovic 1 99 Berisha
Montoya 14 29 Konko
Miranda 25 2 Hoedt
Murillo 24 33 Mauricio
Telles 12 26 Radu
Melo 83 21 Milinkovic
Medel 17 20 Biglia
Biabiany 11 16 Parolo
Jovetic 10 87 Candreva
Perisic 44 17 Matri
Icardi 9 10 Felipe Anderson

substitutes

Carrizo 30 55 Guerrieri
Jesus 5 66 Matosevic
Dodò 6 4 Gabarron
Kondogbia 7 5 Braafheid
Palacio 8 6 Mauri
Guarin 13 9 Djordjevic
Santon 21 14 Keita
Ljajic 22 23 Onazi
D'Ambrosio 33 32 Cataldi
Nagatomo 55 44 Prce
Brozovic 77 70 Oikonomidis
Manaj 97