Inter vs Lazio: Inter took the first place back with their eighth win in a row

Match preview

It is obvious that Inter Milan are one of the top clubs in this season of Serie A. They have been in the top position for a long time this season. Recently, AC Milan completed their 21st game with a win and became the table-leading club in the 2021-22 Serie A. Inter Milan dropped to the second rank with 19 completed matches, obtaining 46 points. They have won seven consecutive Serie A games since late November. 

However, if they don’t win this game against Lazio, chances are they will lose first place to Milan. 

Lazio, despite their lower rank, have only lost once in the recent five Serie A games. They are also one of the clubs with the most stable forms. However, the biggest problem for Lazio is that they could not keep a clean sheet for four consecutive matches, which made their conceded goals increased and the goal difference decreased. This is the reason why Lazio are standing eighth while sharing the same point with the two above clubs, Fiorentina and Roma. 

Their trip this time will have many difficulties for Lazio to face a home club that are determined to defend the championship. 

Line-up

• Inter: Handanovic, Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni , Dumfries (Darmian 77’), Barella (Vidal 82’), Brozovic, Gagliardini, Perisic, Alexis Sanchez (Correa 73’), Martinez (Dzeko 73’)
• Lazio: Strakosha, Hysaj (Lazzini 80’), Felipe, Radu, Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi (Leiva 68’), Basic (Alberto 68’), Pedro, Immobile, Anderson

Milan Skriniar scored the winning goal for Inter in the second half

Inter Milan finally won over Lazio, but it was not that easy. In the 15th minute, Inter Milan really had a chance to score the opening goal of the game. Lazio players didn’t keep their eyes on Ivan Perisic, but his header was a bit higher than the goal and it was a fail to score. 

Two minutes later, Martinez was thought to bring the first goal for Inter, but this Argentine striker was in an offside position after a VAR check, therefore, the goal was not recognized.

However, this made Simone Inzaghi’s students play more dramatically in the next minutes of the first half. Lautaro Martinez once again had a dangerous shot with a typical volley shot, but it was stopped by the Lazio goalkeeper successfully. 

Inter finally took the lead in the 30th minute, with the goal from Alessandro Bastoni. It was the second corner kick from Inter Milan since the beginning of the game, and the ball went directly to Bastoni’s feet who was standing out of the penalty box. 

Alessandro Bastoni scored one and assisted one for Inter Milan

It was such a sharp and far shot from Bastoni that went straight to the left corner of the goal. This time, there were no reasons to not recognize this goal. It was the first goal of Bastoni in the 2021-22 Serie A. 

Inter were happy for not a long time because five minutes after their goal, Ciro Immobile equalized the score for Lazio. It happened too quickly and there was no fault on Lazio’s side. Lazio also had a good opportunity to turn the table, but it was not sure that the Spanish forward, Pedro, intended to pass the ball to another Lazio player or make a shot. But no matter what his intention was, the goalkeeper from Inter stopped it. 

Ciro Immobile scored the only goal for Lazio

In the 64th minute, Inter Milan had two consecutive messy shots right in front of the goal, but fortunately, Lazio players surrounded them and successfully saved the loss..

In the 67th minute, the Slovakian midfielder brought the lead to Inter with his header. The ball touched the cross ball and then dropped behind the line, turning it into the second goal for Inter Milan in this game, and the third goal of Skriniar in this season of Serie A. Bastoni made the assist this time. 

Skriniar brought the victory to Inter Milan

Ciro Immobile broke the net of Inter Milan in the 78th minute, but everyone saw it as an offside obviously. With all attempts, Lazio couldn’t turn the table, and failed to defeat Inter Milan. 

Updated 2021-22 Serie A table 

This has become the first win in the second leg of Inter Milan, and they already took the first place back from the city rival AC Milan. Now they have one fewer played game, but one point greater. Simone Inzaghi’s students are also the club with the highest goal difference. This has been the first time Inter Milan got 49 points after their first 20 Serie A games since the 2007-08 season, and their eighth win in a row recently in this top-flight Italian league. 

Lazio retained their points and standing after the game. The race to the top four seems to be quite far and challenging for them now. 

2021-22 Serie A table

Don’t forget to keep track with the latest news about football at betimate.com!

References

Wikipedia

Betimate.com