Lazio power

Updated: Feb 29

2019-2020 Season

Game 24

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Inter 2-1

Marvellous Lazio come from behind to beat Inter and become serious scudetto contenders

Great crowd, great atmosphere and great expectations for this game on both sides. A rather cautious start for both teams, but Lazio broke the stalemate in the 8th minute when a massive shot from outside the box from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic hit the crossbar. In the 19th minute Inter went for the counter attack with Marcelo Brozovic. Great ball for Romelu Lukaku but Thomas Strakosha saved.

A total equilibrium between the teams with Lazio maybe trying a little harder with a couple of shots from Lucas Leiva and Ciro Immobile which were off-target. Everything changed in the 44th minute. Ashley Young sent the ball to the right to Antonio Candreva. The former Lazio players took a couple of steps forward and shot, Strakosha saved but the ball got to Young again who made it 1-0 for Inter. First goal for the Neroazzuri for the Englishman.

Lazio had been behind before in these big games so no problem. The second half started with the Biancocelesti continuing to play as if nothing had happened. After four minutes, penalty for Lazio. Luiz Felipe to Felipe Caicedo in the box. The Ecuadorian passed it back to Luis Alberto who saw Milinkovic-Savic move and crossed for him. Milan Skriniar anticipated both the Serb and his goalkeeper. The ball was in the air and Milinkovic-Savic headed it back to Immobile. As Ciro was about to shoot, Stefan De Vrij pushed him from behind. No doubts for the referee and Immobile scored from the penalty to make it 1-1.

Lazio started pushing but Inter quickly regrouped and the equilibrium was back. But not for long. Corner for Lazio in the 69th minute. Luis Alberto’s cross was picked up by Adam Marusic who promptly volleyed the ball towards the net. Daniele Padelli was beaten but Brozovic saved on the line. Ball to Milinkovic-Savic who had the time to control and clinically place it on the Inter far post. Lazio ahead.

Inter attacked but did not have much success. Lazio almost made it three when a splendid play by Immobile was miraculously saved by Padelli. Inter had a last chance in the 90th minute. Alexis Sanchez to Christian Erkisen who passed to Lukaku. The big Inter centre-forward kicked the ball with all his remaining energy but Francesco Acerbi dived towards it and avoided a dangerous chance. It was the last opportunity in a very, very intense match.

Who played for Lazio

Strakosha, Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Radu, Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva (80’ Cataldi), Luis Alberto, Jony (63’ Lazzari), Caicedo (63’ Correa), Immobile.