Defenders turn goalscoring heroes as Inter triumph over Lazio

MILAN – Inter, we bow to you. The Nerazzurri claimed an emphatic 2-1 victory over Lazio thanks to goals by Alessandro Bastoni and matchwinner Milan Skriniar; defenders turned attackers, proving that Simone Inzaghi’s side are able to find a way through regardless of who gets on the scoresheet. The latter’s performance in particular is to be commended: the 22-year-old channelled the spirit of Uruguayan legend Alvaro Recoba, firstly with a beautiful left-footed strike from outside of the box in the first half, before teeing up Skriniar to head the winner home with a perfect cross. In between the two goals Ciro Immobile gave the hosts a scare by finding an equaliser against the run of play, but it didn’t discourage Inter’s relentless attacks. Inzaghi’s team are still top, and have a game in hand. 

After a 2021 to be remembered 2022 kick-started in the best possible way. Inter managed to banish the painful memories of their 3-1 defeat earlier in the season back in October by coming out on top on Sunday evening. Simone Inzaghi's side’s mission was clear and concise from the get-go. Despite the chill in San Siro there was to be no letting up in the fans’ passion for an Inter side who right from the start made their intensions very clear – to really get at Lazio.

With Roberto Gagliardini in midfield and Alexis Sanchez supporting Lautaro Martinez, the Nerazzurri focused on build-up play and moves involving the whole team. In essence it was classic Inter, who stifled Lazio and reduced them to openings only on the counter. The hosts dominated the game from the 15th minute onwards, with chances aplenty. Ivan Perisic was the first to be given a golden chance, heading over an excellent position, before Lautaro struck what he thought was the first of the encounter yet VAR said otherwise. It was a tremendous shame; Sanchez’s beautiful threaded ball, the eruption of noise in San Siro, all for nothing after it was deemed that the Argentine was offside, by the finest of margins. 

Despite the injustice Inzaghi's team wasn’t discouraged and kept the pressure up. Stefan de Vrij headed over before Lautaro was denied by Thomas Strakosha in the Lazio goal. However, the breakthrough wasn’t long off. Alessandro Bastoni found himself in possession of the ball on the edge of the box following an Inter corner, and despite being a great distance from the goal he thought he’d try his luck. The Nerazzurri’s Italian international’s strike found the corner, a real gem of a goal and his third for the club, bending its way past the Lazio defenders to nestle into the bottom corner.

Inter were in control: so many ideas, so much possession, and plenty of chances. Lazio weren’t getting forward at all and yet in the 35th minute they somehow found an equaliser. Danilo Cataldi played a searching ball forward in the direction of Ciro Immobile who then profited on a mix-up in the heart of the Inter defence to tap home. Lazio had made it 1-1, completely against the run of play. Heartened by their goal the visitors went for their second through Pedro, but Samir Handanovic was equal to it. Nonetheless, Inter weren’t rattled and kept up their domination of the match. Half time came around and the scores were level at 1-1, Sarri’s side buoyant from their equalisers, Inzaghi’s raring to get back out on the pitch and restore their lead.

Inter took to the field after the half-time break with the intension of doing justice to their excellent first half performance. Lazio had little to show for themselves apart from when Felipe Anderson’s inspiration led to a chance for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic which had the San Siro faithful on the edge of their seats. The Nerazzurri were always the more likely to find the third goal of the match, with Denzel Dumfries sparkling down the right and setting up Perisic with a great chance. Lazio’s defence held firm, however.

In the end it came down to the same player who opened the scoring to get Inter’s second of the night. Bastoni found himself in space on the left flank and whipped in an inch-perfect ball to fellow centre-back Skriniar. The finish couldn’t have been more emphatic: a bullet header, crashing in off the crossbar, leaving San Siro in raptures. Inter were back in the lead. It was to be a nervy end to the game, with Handanovic keeping the visitors at bay with some important interventions, yet the Nerazzurri’s determination and resolve saw them through. An eighth consecutive win, and a classic performance by Inter.

Inter 2-1 Lazio (HT 1-1)

Scorers: 30 Bastoni (I), 35 Immobile (L), 67 Skriniar (I)INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij, 95 Bastoni; 2 Dumfries (36 Darmian 77), 23 Barella (22 Vidal 82), 77 Brozovic, 5 Gagliardini, 14 Perisic (32 Dimarco 82); 7 Sanchez (19 Correa 74), 10 Lautaro (9 Dzeko 74).Substitutes: 40 Rovida, 97 Radu, 8 Vecino, 12 Sensi, 13 Ranocchia, 33 D'Ambrosio, 41 Curatolo.Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

LAZIO (4-3-3): 1 Strakosha; 23 Hysaj (29 Lazzari 80), 3 Luiz Felipe, 26 Radu, 77 Marusic; 21 Milinkovic-Savic, 32 Cataldi (6 Leiva 68), 88 Basic (10 Luis Alberto 68); 7 Felipe Anderson (20 Zaccagni 60), 17 Immobile, 9 Pedro.Substitutes: 25 Reina, 31 Adamonis, 4 Patric, 18 Romero, 19 Vavro, 27 Moro, 28 A. Anderson, 94 Muriqi.Coach: Maurizio Sarri.

Booked: Luiz Felipe (L), Basic (L), Radu (L), Zaccagni (L), Vidal (I)Time added on: 1, 4.

Referee: Pairetto.Assistants: Bercigli, Berti.Fourth official: Serra.VAR: Aureliano, Bresmes.