When least expected, Inter turned into Napoli’s best ally as they came from behind on Sunday to beat Lazio 3-1 at the San Siro.
Despite an encouraging start, the Nerazzurri conceded one goal in the first half and that was all that Lazio needed to spoil the Partenopei‘s expected Scudetto party. But a brace from Lautaro Martinez and a single Robin Gosens goal put Simone Inzaghi’s troops back on track.
Inter’s win mean that Napoli will clinch their third Scudetto with a win over Salernitana, their match kicking off in just a few minutes.
Inter now have 57 points and sit fourth in the table alongside their cross-town cousins Milan and Roma, the three teams battling for the last Champions League qualification spot available.
On the other hand, Lazio collected their second loss in a row and now see their second place in the table threatened by Juventus. The Bianconeri can pass them tonight if they beat Bologna.
The Nerazzurri had a better start despite the mid-week clash with Juventus for a spot in the Coppa Italia Final. Inzaghi made four changes from his cup lineup, resorting on Romelu Lukaku and Joaquin Correa in the attack. Maurizio Sarri put his trust on Ciro Immobile upfront, alongside Mattia Zaccagni and Felipe Anderson.
There were chances for Nicoló Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan but Lazio’s Ivan Provedel confirmed to be one of the most promising goalkeepers seen in Serie A this season. The Armenian did find the back of the net on 25 minutes but his effort was chalked off as Correa was caught offside as he served Mkhitaryan the final assist.
Lazio took the lead quite surprisingly as they capitalized on their former man Francesco Acerbi’s defensive blunder. The Azzurri center back naively lost the ball in his defensive third, allowing Felipe Anderson to exchange it with his teammates before firing it past André Onana.
Acerbi seemed shell-shocked and risked much right before the break, when another mistake on his part triggered Immobile’s shot from close range. Onana saved from his effort, then Alessandro Bastoni blocked the ball from Anderson’s tap-in attempt.
Inzaghi breathed a sigh of relief and decided it was time for some changes. Denzel Dumfries replaced Danilo D’Ambrosio after the restart, then Lautaro Martinez took Correa’s place – a change that would make a difference.
Inter came close to drawing level with Federico Dimarco but his close-range shot was brilliantly denied by Provedel. Robin Gosens’ was Inzaghi’s next addition, replacing Bastoni. On 65 minutes, Lautaro had perhaps the best chance for the Nerazzurri but wasted a golden fast break opportunity as he was stopped by Nicoló Casale, whose defensive recovery was outstanding.
It seemed that it was one of those days for Inter, but Inzaghi’s band found some unexpected strength and suddenly stormed back with three goals in the final 13 minutes. Lukaku appeared revitalized by his LuLa partner’s entrance and served the two assists by which the Nerazzurri turned the game around.
Big Rom’s first service resulted in Lautaro slotting the ball past Provedel with a clinical finish. His second effort was even better as he picked Robins Gosens on the far post and served him the chance for a spectacular acrobatic conversion. The German wingback did his job but picked what looks like a serious injury in the process, as he left the pitch with a possibly dislocated shoulder.
With just one minute to go, Lautaro wrapped his brace and a win that keeps Inter in contention for a Champions League spot next season – as well as offer Napoli their first Scudetto match-point.