Lazio 3 - 1 Inter, Lautaro's goal isn't enough

LAZIO 3-1 INTER

Scorer: 40' Felipe Anderson (L), 51' Lautaro (I), 75' Luis Alberto (L), 86 Pedro (L)

LAZIO (4-3-3): 94 Provedel; 29 Lazzari (23 Hysaj 71'), 4 Patric, 13 Romagnoli, 77 Marusic; 21 Milinkovic-Savic, 32 Cataldi (6 Marcos Antonio 84'), 5 Vecino (10 Luis Alberto 58'); 7 Felipe Anderson (11 Cancellieri 84'), 17 Immobile, 20 Zaccagni (9 Pedro 58'). Unused substitutes: 1 Maximiano, 31 Adamonis, 15 Casale, 18 Romero, 26 Radu, 34 Gila, 88 Basic. Coach: Maurizio Sarri. INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij, 95 Bastoni; 2 Dumfries (36 Darmian 69'), 23 Barella (11 Correa 77'), 77 Brozovic, 5 Gagliardini (20 Calhanoglu 77'), 32 Dimarco (8 Gosens 69'); 90 Lukaku (9 Dzeko 69'), 10 Lautaro. Unused substitutes: 21 Cordaz, 24 Onana, 12 Bellanova, 14 Asllani, 33 D'Ambrosio, 42 Agoumé. Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Booked: Zaccagni (L), Marusic (L), Bastoni (I) Added time: 2' - 6'

Referee: Fabbri. Assistants: Pagliardini, Vecchi. Fourth official: Maresca. VAR: Aureliano. VAR assistant: Carbone.

The same result as last year away to Lazio. The same defeat. At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Inter suffered their first setback of the Serie A campaign, losing 3-1 to the Biancocelesti. It was a hard-fought match with a real competitive spirit, but, in the heat and humidity, things didn’t go the Nerazzurri’s way. Inter tried to get at their opponents, but precision, composure and ruthlessness were all lacking in various degrees. At the back, the team struggled to deal with the quality of the runs of Lazio’s forwards, something which was key to deciding the contest, especially after substitutions were made in the second half. 3-1, exactly like in October 2021. A defeat that the Nerazzurri need to immediately bounce back from: on Tuesday, Inter will face Cremonese at San Siro on matchday four in the Italian top flight.

A tough game to play in front of a noisy home crowd, the first real big showdown of the season. The Olimpico was bouncing for Lazio vs. Inter. Familiar faces and traditional opponents at the start of a season that, despite having only just begun, is already well and truly up and running due to the heavy schedule in store.

Inzaghi selected Dimarco and Gagliardini in Inter’s starting line-up to face Sarri’s 4-3-3. The Nerazzurri made a very bright start, sending plenty of men forward and using the width well. On one side of the pitch, there was Dimarco; on the other, there was Dumfries. After withstanding the early pressure, Lazio began to move further up the pitch and cause Inter problems. In the 16th minute, Immobile dragged the ball wide from a promising position in the box. It was a sign that the Biancocelesti’s attacking players were growing into the game. Milinkovic-Savic was providing the inspiration, Felipe Anderson and Zaccagni looked menacing. Skriniar made a great block to divert an attempt from Zaccagni behind for a corner, while Handanovic was alert to keep out Immobile’s shot from Felipe Anderson’s assist. With 40 minutes on the clock, the hosts took the lead: Milinkovic-Savic spotted Felipe Anderson’s run, and, with the Inter defence caught napping somewhat, the Brazilian was able to head his team in front.

The hope was that the blow would shake Inter up. While the Nerazzurri were displaying great intensity, composure had been missing at decisive moments in attack. Things didn’t look too promising when Immobile tested Handanovic immediately after the restart, but then Inter responded. Indeed, in the 51st minute, they grabbed an equaliser. Lautaro Martinez was the player who scored the goal, with the Argentine in the right place at the right time to convert after Dumfries had won the ball in the air. Inzaghi’s team were galvanised. A minute later, Provedel produced a fine stop to keep out Dumfries’ free header at the back post. The Nerazzurri remained on the front foot until the hour mark, but Lazio dug in and found renewed energy through the players they introduced off the bench.

Pedro and Luis Alberto were the cards that Sarri played, and they proved to be winning cards. In the 75th minute, after being picked out by Pedro, Luis Alberto unleashed a fantastic strike from distance that flew into the top corner via a deflection off Barella. Dzeko, Correa and Calhanoglu tried to cause Lazio problems, but the hosts put the game to bed in the 86th minute. Pedro went from provider to goalscorer as he curled the ball into the far corner to make it 3-1. There were late attempts from Lautaro and Immobile, but the scoreline remained the same. The Nerazzurri now need to put this defeat behind them quickly.

MATCH UPDATES

FULL-TIME: LAZIO 3-1 INTER

96' Handanovic stops Immobile from making it four.

95' Lautaro with another attempt. Again, Provedel keeps it out.

92' Calhanoglu shoots from distance but Provedel manages to save the Turk's effort.

86' Pedro scores Lazio's third.

75' Luis Alberto restores Lazio's lead, 2-1.

65' Skriniar meets Dimarco's free-kick, the ball hits the defender and ends up in Provedel's arms.

52' Dumfries with a free header at the back post, Provedel somehow saves it!

51' GOALLLLLLL! 1-1! LAUTARO SCORES THE EQUALISER!

47' Handanovic covers his near post well, denying Immobile.

SECOND HALF 46' No changes for either side as the second half kicks off!

HALF-TIME The Nerazzurri are behind at the break.

40' Felipe Anderson gives Lazio the lead.

37' Handanovic is well-positioned to keep out Immobile's attempt.

35' Skriniar makes a great block to deflect Zaccagni's effort behind for a corner.

23' Lautaro tries to catch Provedel out from a long way out but the ball finishes harmlessly out of play.

16' Immobile drags the ball wide from a promising position inside the box.

7' Gagliardini gets on the end of Dumfries' low cross but Provedel gets down to save!

4' Dumfries forces Provedel into an early stop.

1' And we're off at the Stadio Olimpico. Forza Inter!