Inter take top spot thanks to victory over Lazio

MILAN - Look at the photo below. It was taken after Lautaro's goal to make it 3-1, a tap-in that killed off the match at its most delicate moment. Unity, joy energy, strength. Determination and ferocity. Extremely attentive too: those at risk of suspension avoided bookings that would have resulted in them missing the Derby. What an Inter performance! Following tonight's 3-1 victory over Lazio, the Nerazzurri sit top of the league on 50 points and will be full of confidence going into next week's clash against their cross-city rivals.

Lukaku dominated and created, scoring a brace and getting an assist after a magnificent run. Lautaro made his mark, Skriniar held firm, while Eriksen and Brozovic dominated in midfield. Then, we knew how to manage the game and see it out. The defenders were alert while Perisic kept tabs on Lazzari. In the end, it was a great team effort and the threat posed by the Nerazzurri’s attacks meant that it could have been more than the eventual 3-1 scoreline. 

It was a match played a suitably high tempo. It was open, intense and entertaining. The two sides faced off in 3-5-2 formations, with quality on the wings, talent in the middle and a combination of strength and creativity up top. There was a lot on the line and no room for errors. And so, the match started as it meant to go on. It seemed as though it would be impossible to maintain the rhythm, but it proved to be an entertaining and exciting match in which everyone gave their all. Bursts of pace made the difference as the midfielders joined the action up front and displayed their quality. Eriksen looked lively and creative with his passing, Lukaku constantly made himself available and Lautaro was electric. 

The first key moment came after the 20-minute mark as the Eriksen-Lukaku-Lautaro combination worked to perfection before Hoedt brought El Toro down at the cost of a penalty. Lukaku stepped up to convert with a typically perfect penalty, which took his tally up to ten from ten from the spot in Serie A. Having gone ahead, Inter looked increasingly comfortable in their play, while Skriniar was the strongpoint in a very alert defence. Handanovic (who was making his 500th Serie A appearance) was able to frustrate a well-marshalled Immobile. Lautaro couldn’t find a second but he was causing problems for the Lazio defence, who were focused and aware of the threat he posed. The second goal came at the end of the half thanks to the effort demonstrated by Brozovic. He went in for a sliding challenge before the ball ricocheted into the path of Lukaku, who made no mistake after a challenge turned into the perfect assist. The Belgian was clinical with his right-foot strike to make it 2-0 and score the 300th goal of his professional career. 

Having gone into the break at 2-0, Inter stuck to the plan and managed the game well to keep Lazio at bay, also avoiding bookings for Brozovic, Barella and Bastoni, all of whom were at risk of picking up suspensions. Chances to kill the game off started to appear as Lazio moved up the pitch and kept the ball but while leaving space in behind. That space would be exploited by Hakimi, who was stopped by Parolo, and then by Lukaku, who wasn’t. The striker started to transform into the Hulk just as Lazio had got one back through a fortunate goal: Milinkovic-Savic’s free kick deflected off Escalante to leave Handanovic wrong-footed.

However, there was barely any time to say: Lazio are back in it. Because in the 64th minute, Inter struck to devastating effect, showing all their hunger in the process. This was embodied by Romelu Lukaku, who, after receiving the ball from Brozovic in midfield, raced forward, got the better of Parolo and set it up on a plate for Lautaro, who couldn’t miss from close range. 3-1, unbridled joy from the whole group, simply magnificent. A wonderful and deserved team goal.

As for Lazio, it was a big blow, although they weren’t about to give up. The Nerazzurri stood firm, however, and could have even scored a fourth, with Lukaku denied a hat-trick by Reina. Inzaghi tried to give his side renewed impetus with changes in attack, but Handanovic was never forced to intervene with any particularly notable saves in the closing stages.  

Inter deservedly ran out 3-1 winners, a result which sees them take top spot in the league. Nevertheless, the Nerazzurri know that there’s a long way to go – a very long way. And they also know how to bounce back from disappointments, even against sides that have previously won six in a row. This is a strong and united group. Forza Inter!

MATCH DETAILS

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij, 95 Bastoni; 2 Hakimi (33 D'Ambrosio 91'), 23 Barella, 77 Brozovic, 24 Eriksen (5 Gagliardini 72'), 14 Perisic (36 Darmian 91'); 9 Lukaku (99 Pinamonti 91'), 10 Lautaro (7 Sanchez 78').Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 97 Radu, 8 Vecino, 11 Kolarov, 12 Sensi, 13 Ranocchia, 15 Young.Coach: Antonio Conte.

LAZIO (3-5-2): 25 Reina; 4 Patric, 33 Acerbi, 14 Hoedt (16 Parolo 46'); 29 Lazzari, 21 Milinkovic-Savic, 6 Leiva (18 Escalante 46'), 10 Luis Alberto (7 Pereira 78'), 77 Marusic; 11 Correa (20 Caicedo 70'), 17 Immobile (94 Muriqi 70'). Substitutes: 71 Alia, 19 Lulic, 26 Radu, 32 Cataldi, 37 Musacchio, 92 Akpa Akpro, 96 Fares.Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Goalscorers: 22' Lukaku (I) pen., 45' Lukaku (I), 61' Milinkovic-Savic (L), 64' Lautaro (I)Bookings: Hoedt (L), Lukaku (I), Hakimi (I)Added time: 3' - 3'.

Referee: Fabbri.Assistants: Alassio and Valeriani.Fourth Official: Aureliano.VAR: Irrati.VAR Assistant: Ranghetti.

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