With match-week 21 of the Serie A underway, the league leaders Inter are set to face-off against eighth-place Lazio in what seems like thrilling and enchanting fixture at the monumental Stadio San Siro. Without further ado, here is a preview of the match-up between the two Italian giants along with the predicted lineups of each team.
Within their last fixture, the Nerazzuri have pulled off an impressive 1-0 victory over Torino, extending their incredible unbeaten-record at home to 19 games within this year’s Serie A campaign. As Lazio prepare to enter a ferocious territory, Inzaghi hopes his men are capable to beat his former side in order to distance themselves from cross-city rivals Milan within the race for the Scudetto.
Meanwhile, the Biancocelesti are coming off of a disappointing 3-3 draw against Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico, a fixture that was a roller-coaster of emotions as Sarri’s men have managed to make an incredible comeback within the dying minutes of the game after conceding two goals within the first ten minutes. After a rough first half of the season that was filled with many fluctuations in terms of consistency, Sarri hopes that his side can perform the double against Inter within the reverse fixture in order to gain momentum as they strive to obtain an Europa League qualifying-spot.
Inter vs Lazio Head-to-Head
The last fixture between these two prestigious Italian clubs saw Lazio triumph over Inter in a 3-1 victory at the Stadio Olimpico, handing the Nerazzurri their only lost so far this season. Although Inter managed to obtain an early league with Ivan Perisic capitalizing from the penalty spot, Lazio remained unfazed as they managed to go against all the odds in order to perform an incredible comeback within the nation’s capital. Sarri’s side secured all three points against a solid inter-side through Felipe Anderson’s spectacular solo-run from the halfway line, as well as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s thunderous header to put the cherry on top of the cake.
Based on head-to-head stats, Inter have managed to win 20 direct matches out off 55 fixtures so far between the two Italian clubs. On the other hand, Lazio have won 17 games against the Nerazzuri, with the remaining 18 fixtures ending in a draw. Despite Inter having a slight advantage in terms of games already written in the books, there is no doubt that this game will be filled with excitement as match-ups between both sides tend to be filled unpredictable and exciting moments.
Inter Form Preview
The Nerazzurri have managed to maintain an incredible run of form throughout the first half of the season as they obtained 15 points within their previous five league fixtures (5W,0D,0L).
Since arriving at the helm of Inter, Inzaghi has taken the club by storm, implementing a fast-flowing attacking style of play that has allowed his players to prosper under the Italian tactician. Recently, Inter seems to be a well-oiled machine within the final third of the pitch as Inzaghi’s side are currently the best offensive team within the league, scoring a total of 49 goals in 19 league fixtures.
As it stands, Inter are currently on an incredible eight-game unbeaten-streak within the league. In addition, the Nerazzurri have sustained structure and organization in consistent manner throughout this years campaign, accumulating seven consecutive clean-sheets within the Serie A.
With Inter in first place with a total of 46 points, Inzaghi hopes his men can avenge their lost to his former team in order to increase the gap between second-place Milan, leaping them a step forward towards defending their title.
Player to watch: Lautaro Martinez
This the start of this year’s campaign, Lautaro Martinez has improved tremendously under Inzaghi as manager. The Argentine has done a brilliant job at filling the shoes of Romelu Lukaku since the Belgian talisman’s departure to his childhood club Chelsea. Throughout this year’s campaign, the 22 year-old Argentinian international has scored 11 goals and provided two assists for the Nerazzurri.
With Edin Dzeko unavailable after testing positive for Covid and Hakan Cahalanoglu suspended for this vital fixture, There is no doubt that Martinez will play a pivotal role for Inzaghi’s side through his prolific finishing skills, his fine-tuned dribbling technique, and his surprising physical strength.
Lazio Form Preview
Despite rough start to this year’s Serie A campaign, Lazio have managed to find some form of consistency as Sarri’s side have sealed 10 points within their past five league matches (3W,1D,1L).
There has been no doubt that Sarri’s team has been a significant threat within the final third through their deadly breaks on the counter-attacks. The Italian tactician’s front three that consists of Ciro Immobile, Flipe Anderson, and Pedro Rodruigez have been brilliant throughout this year’s campaign as they managed to score 24 goals combined for the Biancocelesti. Unfortunately, Sarri has not been able to implement proper discipline within Lazio’s back-line as his side conceded a disappointing total of 37 goals within 20 league games.
As it stands, Lazio currently sit in joint-sixth with Fiorentina and Roma, each team possessing a total for 32 points. After a frustrating draw against Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico, Sarri hopes that his men can secure three points at the San Siro, providing his men with all the confidence necessary in order to turn this difficult season around and achieve an Europa League qualifying spot.
Player to watch: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Since the start of this year’s campaign, Milinkovic-Savic has been a vital asset within Sarri’s squad. The Serbian midfielder has managed to maintain a spectacular form this season, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists for the Biancocelesti this season.
There is no doubt that the 26 year-old midfielder will be a significant focal point throughout Lazio’s difficult challenge at the San Siro through the use of his remarkable peripheral vision, his spectacular flair of creativity, and his clinical goal-scoring ability.
Inter vs Lazio Predicted Lineups:
Inter (3-5-2): Samir Handanovi; Alessandro Bastoni; Stefan de Vrij; Milan Skriniar; Denzel Dumfries; Marcelo Brozović; Auturo Vidal; Nicolò Barella; Ivan Perišić, Joaquín Correa; Lautaro Martinez.
Lazio (4-3-3): Thomas Strakosha; Adam Marusic; Patric; Luiz Felipe; Elseid Hysaj; Luis Alberto; Danilo Cataldi; Sergej Milinkovic-Savic; Felipe Anderson; Ciro Immobile; Pedro Rodruigez.