Inter confirmed their Scudetto credentials with a hard-fought 2-0 victory against an out-of-sorts Lazio side at the Stadio Olimpico. Though the final score gives the impression of a routine win, Simone Inzaghi’s side suffered to put another significant three points on the board.
Perhaps afraid of a traditionally challenging trip to Rome, Inter deployed a different approach compared to their recent Serie A outings. Nerazzurri allowed Lazio to take control of possession and dictate the pace. Seemingly content to soak up the pressure and wait for their hosts to make a mistake, Inzaghi’s side played a tactical game.
When it looked like the scoreline wouldn’t change before halftime, Inter’s patience paid off. Adam Marusic made a horrible error, with Lautaro Martinez showcasing his poacher’s skills to put the visitors in front on the stroke of the interval. The Argentine picked up a poor back pass from the Montenegro international and rounded past Ivan Provedel before slotting the ball into an empty net.
Lazio continued to dominate possession after the break, but clear-cut chances were at a premium. Another lapse of concentration from the home players came midway through the second half. Nicolo Barella set Marcus Thuram on a plate, with the Frenchman’s left-footed finish proving unstoppable for Provedel.
Inter had no problems protecting a comfortable two-goal cushion for the remainder of the game as they took advantage of Juventus’ draw at Genoa to go four points clear at the top.
Inter (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – 7
Made several routine stops throughout the game, including a standout leg save at the start of the second half to deny Nicolo Rovella in a one-on-one situation.
Alessandro Bastoni – 7.5
Barely put his foot wrong tonight, winning numerous aerial duels against Ciro Immobile and neutralizing Felipe Anderson on the left side. Impeccable with the ball at his feet.
Francesco Acerbi – 7.5
Another top-notch defensive performance from the veteran! Led by example, playing a crucial role in the visitors’ first league win at the Stadio Olimpico in five years.
Yann Bisseck – 7.5
It felt like it wasn’t the youngster’s first high-profile appearance in Serie A. Calmed and composed in possession and physically dominant when asked to defend.
Matteo Darmian – 7
Like his defensive colleagues, the Italian was an essential cog of a robust mechanism, forging an impregnable fortress before Sommer’s goal.
Federico Dimarco – 6.5
Despite having a notably quiet night by his standard attacking-wise, the left-back thrived at the back, winning virtually every battle against Anderson.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7
Worked his socks off in the middle of the park and had a massive chance to cap off an impressive showing with a goal, but Provedel denied him in a one-v-one.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 6.5
You’d expect more from a playmaker of his caliber, but the Turk wasn’t at the top of his game tonight, though his defensive contribution made up for an uneventful performance.
Nicolo Barella – 7
Electrifying as ever, the Italian was the difference-maker for Inter, providing a pivotal assist for Thuram to bolster his statistics.
Lautaro Martinez – 7
A textbook definition of the ‘fox in the box’ phrase! Who knows how the game would’ve panned out if the Inter captain didn’t score a match-defining opener.
Marcus Thuram – 6.5
Grabbed another goal that dropped the curtain on Lazio’s hopes of bouncing back. But spent most of the encounter in a near-anonymous mode.
Substitutes
Carlos Augusto – 6
Marko Arnautovic – 5.5
Davide Frattesi – 6
Kristjan Asllani – N/A
Davy Klassen – N/A
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