Bogey team? No longer. Inter traveled to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, December 17 and beat Lazio 0-2.
In what is shaping up to be a Scudetto race between Inter and Juventus, the stakes for Inter’s match against Lazio were raised even higher when Juventus failed to beat Bologna- recording a 1-1 draw on Friday evening. The Nerazzurri had the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Serie A table to 4 points over Allegri’s side. Simone Inzaghi had not had much luck when returning to his former club’s ground, but there is something different about Inter this year.
Without any changes compared to the predicted XI named by SkySport Italy, Inter lined up as follows (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan; Thuram, Lautaro.
The hosts fielded some alternatives compared to the predicted squad and lined up as follows (4-3-3): Provodel; Lazzari, Casale, Gila, Marušić; Guendouzi, Rovella, Kamada; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni.
Inter’s first big chance of the game came in the 5th minute. Yann Bisseck got his head on a dangerous corner but was unable to direct the ball down, instead watching the ball sail over the goal, missing the target.
Lazio were the next to pounce, with Yann Sommer making an incredible save on Ciro Immobile, and followed by the Italian forward missing a golden chance from a headed opportunity just minutes later.
Just when it looked like this match would be heading into halftime without any score, Lazio fullback Adam Marušić made a poor pass backwards, which Lautaro Martínez was quick enough to intercept. Lautaro rounded the Lazio goalkeeper, Ivan Provodel, and dink the ball over the Lazio defenders into the net. This was the Argentine’s 29th Serie A goal of the 2023 calendar year, and 15th of the 2023-2024 Serie A season!
In the 48th minute, Lazio midfielder Nicolò Rovella slalomed through the Inter defence and was one-on-one with Yann Sommer. The Swiss goalkeeper made a massive save to preserve clean-sheet and Inter’s lead.
In the 66th minute, Nicolò Barella picked up the ball in Lazio’s third of the field. After attempting a shot and regaining possession of the ball, he found Marcus Thuram on the left who drove and hit the ball past 3 Lazio defenders, doubling the score.
To close out the match, Inter had 2 more decent chances but amounted to nothing in the end. Lazio defender Manuel Lazzari was shown a straight red card in the 87th minute, causing the hosts to see out the final minutes of the match with 10 men.
Following a largely important win, here is how we have rated the individual performances of our Inter players on the night.
Yann Sommer – 7
Made some huge saves and increased his clean-sheet count to 11 in 16 Serie A matches.
Yann Bisseck – 6.5
Played this match like a veteran, not someone who was new to Italy and making his second ever Serie A start.
Francesco Acerbi – 6.5
Probably Inter’s best defender based on defensive ability, not ball-playing or other attributes. Incredibly solid facing his former club.
Alessandro Bastoni – 6.5
Lovely to see Bastoni back to full fitness. What an important player to Inter’s buildup, hardly put a foot wrong.
Matteo Darmian – 6
Wasn’t as impactful going forward, but often swapped positions with Bisseck to provide defensive cover and allow the German to burst forward.
Nicolò Barella – 7
Very active on defence and got a smart assist.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu – 6.5
Solid performance, had some promising shots and held things down defensively.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 5.5
Could (should) have had potentially 2 goals- 2 big chances missed. Lost duels, not his night.
Federico Dimarco – 6.5
Created great chances from the wing and had many effective actions dribbling past opponents and into the Lazio box.
Marcus Thuram – 7.5
His big game record is one of the best in recent memory. He always turns up in big matches and is proving to be one of the best forwards in Italy.
Lautaro Martínez (C) – 7.5
Has the potential to break a record for most goals for Inter in Serie A in a calendar year. Elevating his game to a whole new level this season. 15 goals in 16 games now.
Substitutes
Davide Frattesi – 6.5
His athleticism and speed changed things in the midfield and seemed to glide past players with ease. Had an opportunity to get a shot on goal but missed the target.
Carlos Augusto – 6
Created a big chance and nearly got himself an assist in the little time he was on. Great impact player.
Marko Arnautović – 5
Did not make much of an impact.
Davy Klaassen – N/A
Entered in the final minutes of the match.
Kristjan Asllani – N/A
Entered in the final minutes of the match.
